My Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exhilarating experience, full of hope, change and choices – including where to have your baby. At Carle we offer you expertise in a comfortable, caring environment. We're here to help you every step of the way with specialized classes and the support of medical professionals.

Why choose Carle?

Choose Carle for:

• Our Level III perinatal services, which means we're trained to handle even the most complex delivery
• The most advanced technologies and treatments to monitor your pregnancy and your baby's health
• The latest birthing practices, including water births, and innovative pain management options, such as Jacuzzi® tubs
• Comfortable, private rooms, including our new all-in-one suites where we can cater to your every need from labor to postpartum care
• Breastfeeding help during your stay and at home through our community breastfeeding clinic
• Specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and connections with other moms
• Largest midwifery team in downstate Illinois

Learn more about caring for your baby in our free prenatal education classes.


When to Call Your Doctor

During your pregnancy you'll become especially tuned into your body's signals and the needs of your growing baby. Trust your instincts and call your doctor if something doesn't feel right with you or the baby, including severe or sudden pain, unusual discharge or swelling that's uneven (for example, if one of your legs looks significantly bigger than the other).

Between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, call your doctor at his or her office. During the evening, weekends or holidays, call Carle's Labor and Delivery department at (217) 383-3305, or head straight to the hospital if you think you need medical attention.

Feel free to call your doctor’s office anytime you have a question, or if you experience:

• Vaginal discharge that is pink, brown or bloody
• Pink or brown discharge
• Abdominal pain located on one side of the lower abdomen
• Pain that is continuous, sharp or dull, or pain that comes and goes
• Shoulder pain
• Weakness
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Cramping
• Fever

The following are important signs of pre-term labor:

• Regular tightening of the uterus or belly, 4-6 times per hour. It may feel like the baby is "balling up"
• Menstrual-like cramping
• Low, dull backache that does not feel like other backaches
• Pressure or pain in the lower belly, back, or upper legs
• Unusual drainage of water, mucous or blood from the vagina

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the bathroom and empty your bladder. Drink two to three large glasses of water. Then lie down on your side for one hour. If you still feel these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Is My Pregnancy High Risk?

All pregnancies need special care, but certain conditions can cause your pregnancy to be considered "high-risk." Talk with your doctor to determine if your pregnancy falls into one of the following high-risk categories:

• Before Pregnancy
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• HIV/ AIDS
• kidney or gastrointestinal disorders
• Problems in a previous pregnancy
• Pregnancy over age 35
• During Pregnancy
• Carrying twins, triplets or more
• Abnormal AFP (alpha fetoprotein) blood test
• Preeclampsia (toxemia)
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Suspected fetal growth restriction

If you’re high risk, you can be confident our team of experts is equipped to handle your pregnancy and delivery. As the region’s only hospital offering Level III Perinatal services, our obstetricians are specially trained in high-risk pregnancies and births. In addition, our physicians offer testing and monitoring during your pregnancy, and are available 24 hours a day to monitor your newborn after delivery.

Tips for Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is a common during pregnancy. If nausea becomes severe, you become dehydrated or you're concerned about how often you’ve vomited, call your doctor.

Below are some helpful tips for morning sickness and controlling nausea:

Vomiting

• Sip on cool, clear liquids, such as ginger ale, water or apple juice (2-3 ounces every 15 minutes)
• Eat a few saltine crackers when vomiting has stopped for 30 minutes or more
• Rest in a quiet, well-ventilated room, if possible

Morning Nausea

• Eat a few crackers before getting out of bed; then rest for ten minutes
• Eat a light breakfast of foods you usually can handle and then a snack before lunch
• Take vitamins and iron supplements later in the day
• Eat a bedtime snack to avoid being hungry overnight

General Nausea

• Do not force down unappealing foods
• Avoid cooking and cooking odors
• Choose mildly seasoned, non-greasy, easily digested foods
• Abstain from alcohol, and avoid caffeine and cigarette smoke
• Make mealtimes relaxing
• Try light exercise such as walking
• Eat every three hours
• Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
• Rest or take a nap
• Eat dry, starchy food such as crackers, toast, pretzels and plain popcorn
• Drink liquids only between meals
• Eat five or six small meals a day
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing

Midwifery

Many women with low-risk pregnancies choose to deliver with one of the nurse midwives at Carle. These certified professional are specially trained to deliver babies and provide a natural birthing experience. A midwife serves as your partner throughout pregnancy, working closely with you to understand your needs and discuss options for nutrition, pain management, breastfeeding and more.

Carle’s midwifery practice is the largest in downstate Illinois, with more than 50 years of combined experience.

Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy)

All pregnancies require special care, but certain conditions can cause a pregnancy to be considered high risk. Carle’s maternal fetal medicine specialists are specially trained in high-risk pregnancies and births, offering evaluation and counseling for health issues and medical or genetic disorders.

The team also provides specialized monitoring and testing, including:

• Amniocentesis - a test where a small amount of fluid surrounding a fetus is removed and examined to determine if there are chromosomal abnormalities that could result in conditions such as Down syndrome.
• Chromosomal analysis - a test that looks at a group of cells to identify genetic problems.
• Advanced fetal Imaging - includes targeted ultrasound, biophysical profile, Doppler studies, nuchal translucency and fetal echocardiography.

Decatur
1 Memorial Drive, Suite 300
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 383-4930

Effingham
912 N. Henrietta
Effingham, IL 62401
(217) 383-4930

Urbana
611 W. Park Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 383-4930