Maternity Care

We encourage you to call the OB office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for regular questions or non-emergency issues.

When you need assistance after hours, please call these numbers and ask for the OB physician on call. 

• Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH): 540-981-7000
• Carilion New River Valley Medical Center (CNRV): 540-731-2000

We also invite you to send MyChart messages to your OB care team at any time for non-urgent questions. MyChart messages are routinely viewed during office hours. The OB care team will respond within three days.

Please do not send urgent messages in My Chart.

If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Get medical care right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Headache that won't go away or gets worse over time
• Dizziness or fainting
• Changes in your vision
• Fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Extreme swelling of your hands or face
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain or fast beating heart
• Severe nausea and throwing up
• Severe belly pain that does not go away
• Decreased baby movement during pregnancy
• Severe swelling, redness or pain of your leg or arm
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge after pregnancy
• Overwhelming tiredness
• Cramping pain or contractions every 10 minutes (if you are less than 36 weeks pregnant) or active labor signs, such as strong contractions that last about a minute and occur every five minutes for an hour
• Burning with urination
• Severe abdominal, pelvic or back pain

These could be signs of very serious complications. If you cannot reach a health care provider, go to the Emergency Department. Be sure to tell them you are pregnant or were pregnant within the last year.

Follow the links below for information about what to do when coming to our hospitals for labor and delivery:

Valet Parking

From 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday, parking assistance is available in front of the hospital.  After 6pm and during the weekend, parking is available in both the Riverwalk and Terrace View Parking lots across from the hospital.

The Birthplace at CRMH

From the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital lobby, take the South Tower elevators to the Labor and Delivery Unit on the 13th floor.  On the 13th floor, please use the hallway telephone at the doorway entrance to let the staff know that you are here.

Before 20 Weeks Pregnant (5 months)

If you come to the hospital with a medical emergency, please follow the Emergency signs and drop patients off at the Emergency Department entrance: parking is available nearby.  Enter the Emergency Department and go to the reception desk, where staff will assist you.

Past 20 Weeks Pregnant

If you are coming to the hospital in labor or with a pregnancy-related concern, please enter the hospital at the front Admissions entrance on the first floor. Proceed to the Guest Services desk at the entrance. A service representative will assist you. You will then take the South Pavilion elevators to the 13th floor Labor and Delivery unit.

Pre-Scheduled Procedures

When coming to the hospital for a scheduled induction or scheduled Cesearan (C-section) delivery, enter through the Admissions entrance at the front entrance on the first floor. Proceed to the Guest Services desk at the entrance. From there, you will be directed to patient registration and then escorted to the labor and delivery unit on the 13th floor of the South Pavilion

Before 20 Weeks Pregnant (5 months)

If you come to the hospital with a medical emergency, please follow the Emergency signs and drop patients off at the Emergency Department entrance #3; parking is available nearby.  Enter the Emergency Department and go to the reception desk, where staff will assist you.

Past 20 Weeks Pregnant

If you are coming to the hospital in labor or with a pregnancy-related concern, please enter the hospital at The Birthplace entrance #14. A service representative will assist you.

Pre-Scheduled Procedures

When coming to the hospital for a scheduled induction or scheduled Cesearan (C-section) delivery, enter through The Birthplace entrance #14.  A service representative will assist you.

Genetic screening tests can assess if there is an increased risk for your baby to have certain genetic conditions. No screening test is 100% accurate and no test can guarantee a healthy pregnancy. 

For more information about genetic testing, please use the link below to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

For more information about Maternal Fetal Medicine, please use the link below. 

Prenatal genetic screening is your choice. Your personal beliefs and values are important factors in that decision. It can be helpful to consider how you would use the results of the prenatal screening tests in your pregnancy care.

These screening tests will tell you if there is a higher risk of having a baby with a specific condition. A diagnostic test should be done if you want to know a more certain result.  Some parents want to know if their baby will be born with a genetic condition before birth to learn more about the condition and to plan for medical care. There is no right or wrong decision.

A typical human cell has 46 chromosomes, divided into 23 pairs. Chromosomes are the structures inside each cell which hold a person’s DNA and genetic information. Missing or extra chromosomes, or a piece of a chromosome, can interfere with development. Many chromosomal anomalies can lead to serious physical birth defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or both. Most cases are not inherited. These conditions can happen to any pregnancy, even without a family history. The most common chromosome anomalies are Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome and Patau Syndrome.

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

• Caused by an extra #21 chromosome

• Occurs in about 1 out of 700 newborns

• Symptoms include a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disabilities, developmental delay, may be associated with thyroid and heart disease

Edward Syndrome (Trisomy 18)

• Caused by an extra #18 chromosome

• Occurs in 1 out of 5,000 newborns

• Symptoms include low birth weight, small head, and serious birth defects in organs

• Often pass away before or within the year after birth

Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13)

• Caused by an extra #13 chromosome

• Occurs in 1 out of 10,000 newborns

• Symptoms include serious birth defects and severe intellectual disabilities

• Often pass away before or soon after birth

Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy (SCA)

• Caused by extra or missing X and/or Y chromosomes rather than the typical female (XX) and male (XY) chromosomes

• Examples include Turner Syndrome (XO) and Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)

• Impact varies with some people not having any health or learning problems while others may have severe heart defects and other health challenges

Carrier Testing (Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy)

• Detects whether you or your partner carry a mutation in a gene

• Can be done any time, ideally before pregnancy

Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS or Cell-free DNA Screening)

NIPS can be performed after 10 weeks of pregnancy.  It is a blood test to screen for the most common autosomal fetal abnormalities: Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, and Patau Syndrome.  It can also detect abnormalities of the sex chromosomes, such as Turner Syndrome (XO) and Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY).  NIPS can help determine fetal sex.  This test detects >99% of pregnancies with Down Syndrome and approximetely 95% of pregnancies with Edwards Syndrome and Patau Syndrome.  The detection rate for sex chromosome differences is 90%.  Results about whether a baby is a boy or a girl is about 99% acccurate.  

Sequential Screen

A nuchal translucency ultrasound and blood work are used to determine your baby's chance of having Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome and Open Neural Tube Defects (Spina Bifida).  Part 1 is completed around 11-13 weeks of pregnancy with blood drawn on the same day as the ultrasound.  Part 2 is completed around 16-18 weeks with blood work only.  When parts 1 and 2 are combined, this test detects approximately 90% of cases of Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome.  It detects about 80% of open neural tube defects. 

Quad Screen/Second Trimester Screen

Blood work is used to determine your baby's chance of having Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome and Open Neural Tube Defects (Spina Bifida).  Blood work is drawn around 16-18 weeks of pregnancy.  This test detects about 80% of cases of Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome and Open Neural Tube Defects.   

Cystic Fibrosis

Blood work is used to determine if alterations in the gene that causes cystic fibrosis (CF) are present.  If both partents have an altered gene, the child might inherit CF.  This test can be done at any time during pregnancy.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Blood work is used to determine if alterations in the gene that causes muscular atrophy (SMA) are present.  If both parents have an altered gene, the child might inherit SMA.  This test can be done at any time during pregnancy.  

Anatomy Ultrasound

An anatomy ultrasound will be performed to screen for some birth defects.

Taking childbirth and parenting classes can help you prepare for labor and caring for your baby. Here are several of the classes that we offer.

Our online childbirth class is the perfect alternative for busy parents needing a flexible class schedule, for moms on bed rest or for military families who are unable to attend class together. In addition, closed captions can be provided for the hearing impaired.  

The user-friendly program guides you through evidence-based information at your own pace. The class generally takes 4 to 6 hours to complete. We recommend you go at your own pace, as you will have access to the eClass for 90 days after your first login. 

While nothing can replace the personal connection of an on-site childbirth class, you will learn the same essential information. 

Available in multiple languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Arabic, Japanese and Chinese. 

Infant massage is a special way to help parents get to know their newborn.

Parents have always loved touching and stroking their babies, and babies love to be soothed and cuddled. Part of a baby's emotional and neurological development comes from the interactions of touch and feelings of security.

The class will teach how to massage the baby to assist with bonding, stress relief, sleep, teething and much more.   

This 2-week, 1-hour-per-week, infant massage course is taught by a certified infant massage trainer for infants one month to one year of age. 

For information about available classes, please call Carilion Direct at 800-422-8482 or check our events calendar.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children, and locally, 8 out of 10 children are not riding properly restrained in their car seats. See the schedule below or contact a certified car seat safety technician in your area to schedule a free safety check to ensure the safety of your child.

Jill Lucas Drakeford, certified child passenger safety technician instructor: 540-981-9435 or jalucas@carilionclinic.org 

Free Car Seat Safety Checks

• The first Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. By appointment only.
• The third Thursday of the month from 4-6 p.m. at Roanoke City Fire Department #6, 1333 Jamison Ave SE, Roanoke, VA. No appointment necessary.
• The last Thursday of the month from 4-6 p.m. at Christiansburg Fire Department, 110 Depot St, Christiansburg, VA. No appointment necessary.

Did you know that you can experience mood changes, anxiety, new onset depression, or worsening of any mental health condition any time during pregnancy through the first year after delivery?  This is called Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders or PMADs. 

Did you know that up to 1 out of 5 pregnant persons will develop PMADs and 1 out of 10 partners may also experience changes?  It may be as high as 3 out 5 for women of color. 

You are not alone.  Please talk with your healthcare team.  We want to know.

PMADs are a spectum of emotional complications that can affect an individual at any point during pregnancy through the first year after birth.

Birthing people with PMADs may experience:

• Sadness, hopelessness, guilt
• Racing thoughts 
• Constant worry
• Anger or irritability
• Lack of interest in baby
• Dizziness, hot flashes, nausea
• Sleep and appetite changes

Don't wait, if you are experiencing symptoms or would like to talk to someone about how you are feeling. There are safe treatment options during pregnancy and after delivery.  Please reach out to your healthcare team right away for the support and information you need to be safe. 

For more information, check out the Women's Mental Health Services at Carilion Clinic.

Emergent Resources

SAMHSA's 988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are in an immediate mental health crisis, call or text 988.  The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and can provide information and resources.

For imminent danger to you or others, call 911.  

Other Resources

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline supported by HRSA Maternal & Child Health

Call or text: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

Available 24/7, in English and Spanish, and 60 other languages by request, staffed by professional counselors, and refers to specialist perinatal mental health providers. It is not a “crisis line” for individuals in imminent danger of harm to self or others. The Maternal Mental Health Hotline Counselors can transfer callers to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, as well as to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Disaster Distress Hotline, if needed.  

Postpartum Support International (PSI) Helpline

Call or text: 800-944-4773

Warmline that connects callers with support volunteers and PSI resources, including support groups. Those seeking help can leave a message by voice or text in English or Spanish and the Helpline responds within a few hours, during business hours.

To connect with information, online groups, and more, visit the Postpartum Support International website at www.postpartum.net.

Postpartum Support Virginia (PSVa) Helpline

Call: (703) 829-7152     Text in English: (540) 698-1277     Text in Spanish: (757) 550-4234 

Warmline offers free support, information, and resources for all parents and their family members. The line is staffed by volunteers or staff who either have lived experience or professional experience with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

To connect with information, online groups and more, visit the Postpartum Support Virginia website at www.postpartumva.org.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

TTY  1-800-797-3224

Text: START to 88788

We invite you to check out Carilion Clinic’s Health Learning Center (HLC). The Health Learning Center is an online collection of educational videos on a variety of health topics.  Each video is about two to three minutes long. Sometimes your provider may select specific videos for you for to watch. You can access the HLC through your MyChart account or a separate HLC account.

Please talk with the staff in your office to learn more. 

It’s important that the medications you take during pregnancy are safe for you and your baby. This list can be used as a guide for making informed decisions about what medications to take during pregnancy. Please also speak with your provider about medications that you are currently taking.  

Acetaminophen remains one of the few safe options for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy when:

• Taken as needed
• Used in moderation
• Taken after consultation with a healthcare professional

 Acetaminophen is considered safe and effective for pain relief and fever reduction. 

Guidance for Pregnant Patients

• Consult your OB/GYN care team before taking any medication. Few alternatives to acetaminophen are considered safe during pregnancy and many have usage restrictions or contraindications.
• Avoid misinformation. Scientific consensus doesn't support claims linking acetaminophen to autism.
• Treat underlying conditions. An untreated fever during pregnancy can raise the risk of complications for the fetus including birth defects, growth restriction and preterm labor. 

For more information about acetaminophen use during pregnancy from ACOG, click the link below.

Protect yourself and your baby with recommended vaccines before or while you are pregnant.

Pregnancy causes changes in your body that could make it easier to get very sick, especially from respiratory viruses. When a pregnant person gets a vaccine during pregnancy, their body creates protective antibodies that are shared with the baby before birth.

Immunity does decrease over time. During your pregnancy, you should get vaccinated against several diseases to provide some protection for you and your baby during the first few months of life.  

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) 

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can be serious for anyone. For a baby less than 2 months old, it can be life-threatening.

Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system, the organs and tissues that help you breathe. 

We recommend getting a whooping cough vaccine or TDaP vaccine between 28 to 36 weeks during EVERY pregnancy. 

Flu (Influenza)

Pregnant persons are more likely to have severe illness from flu during pregnancy, which increases the need to go to the hospital. Flu also may be harmful to your developing baby. 

We recommend getting a yearly flu vaccine by the end of October to protect you before flu activity begins to increase. 

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. RSV can cause severe infection in babies less than 12 months old. It is the most common reason for hospitalizations in babies. 

We recommend a single dose of the RSV vaccine between 32 to 37 weeks of your pregnancy during September to January.  Currently, the RSV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women who have already received one maternal RSV vaccine during a previous pregnancy.

COVID-19

If you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, you are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant. Vaccination remains the best protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19. 

We recommend that you get the most updated COVID-19 vaccine during your pregnancy. 

For more information about vaccines during and after pregnancy, please visit the CDC link below.

Babies have a sleep-wake cycle. At about 16-20 weeks of your pregnancy, you will feel a flutter which is your baby moving. At about 28 weeks, we will ask that you begin to do daily fetal movement or kick counts. A healthy baby should have at least 10 kicks within 2 hours.

At the same time each day, preferably after a meal, lie on your left side and count the distinct movements. Please reduce the distractions around you so that you can concentrate on counting the movements. Once you feel 10 distinct movements within the 2-hour period, you can stop counting.

If the overall movement of your baby seems to be decreasing when compared to previous days or you feel less than 10 movements in a 2-hour period, please call your OB office right away. After office hours (5pm - 8am), please call the operator at CRMH or CNRV, and ask for the “OB doctor on-call.”  Do not send MyChart messages for decreased fetal movement as an urgent response is needed.

You can print the chart below to help track how many times your baby kicks.

Perineal massage may decrease your risk of having perineal tears when your baby is born.

The perineum, or the area between your vagina and anus, stretches when you give birth. Perineal massage begins to stretch the perineal tissues to help your body get ready. It can be performed by you, in your home, once or twice a week in the last 4 to 6 weeks of your pregnancy.

Talk with your health care provider before beginning perineal massage. Your OB office can provide more information.

Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia during pregnancy. Your body makes more blood to support your baby's growth and you need more iron and other nutrients.  

Good food sources of iron include beans, dried fruits, eggs, lean red meat, salmon, iron-fortified breads and cereals, peas, tofu and dark green leafy vegetables.  

Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, strawberries and tomatoes help your body absorb iron.

Gestations Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a higher blood sugar level that sometimes develops during pregnancy. Learn more about GDM and how to manage your blood sugar.

For more information about pregnancy complications and how to reduce your risk, please go to the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention link below.

Preparing for the arrival of your baby may seem overwhelming at times. While you can figure some of it out as you go, there are other very important things to determine before you bring baby home. Here are a few things to consider.

Choosing a Pediatrician 

Learn about Carilion Children's Pediatric Primary Care and see a list of pediatricians here: Carilion Children's Pediatric Primary Care 

Here are some tips from Carilion Children's: Finding the Right Pediatrician

Car Seat Safety Checks

Learn about upcoming car seat safety checks, offered by Carilion's Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor: Car Seat Safety Checks

For more information, check out Carilion Children's.

We invite you to check out Carilion Clinic’s Health Learning Center (HLC). The Health Learning Center is an online collection of educational videos on a variety of health topics.  Each video is about two to three minutes long. Sometimes your provider may select specific videos for you for to watch. You can access the HLC through your MyChart account or a separate HLC account.

Please talk with the staff in your office to learn more. 

New families just starting out, and families that are growing, can rely on us to provide a safe, comfortable and caring environment to welcome their little ones. We have the largest and most experienced maternity center and neonatal intensive care unit in southwest Virginia.

Visit The Birthplace webpage to learn more about our facilities and take a virtual tour.

Carilion Children's NICU has a highly trained team dedicated to caring for the tiniest newborn babies with complex needs. Our NICU is the third largest in Virginia and the only level IIIb NICU in our region.

Visiting hours are 24 hours a day for parents and primary caregivers. We encourage you to participate in your baby's care. The AngelEye camera system allows parents and families to view their newborns 24 hours a day using a secure, live-stream video feed. 

The NICU is part of Carilion Children's Hospital, located in the South Pavilion on the 14th floor of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Click here to watch the Farino family's story about how their daughter was treated in our NICU and then received expert follow-up care from our team of specialists. 

For questions, call 540-981-7796.

A way to determine if you are having true labor contractions is how long each contraction lasts and how often contractions occur. You may be experience labor if your contractions:

• Get stronger
• Become more frequent
• Last longer
• Don't stop when you walk or change positions

Other signs of labor may include:

• Your water breaks
• You experience vaginal discharge or blood-tinged mucus
• You have cramps and increasing back and abdominal pain

If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital right away:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding, like a menstrual period
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
• Severe abdominal pain that does not change with contractions
• Severe belly pain that does not go away
• Decreased baby movement 
• Cramping pain or contractions every 10 minutes (if you are less than 36 weeks pregnant) or active labor signs, such as strong contractions that last about a minute and occur every five minutes for an hour
• Headache that won't go away or gets worse over time
• Dizziness or fainting
• Changes in your vision
• Fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Extreme swelling of your hands or face
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain or fast beating heart
• Severe nausea and throwing up
• Severe swelling, redness or pain of your leg or arm
• Overwhelming tiredness
• Burning with urination
• Severe abdominal, pelvic or back pain

The links below will walk you through what to do as you’re coming to the hospital and includes maps of our hospitals.

Labor induction is the use of medications or other methods to begin the labor process. An induction may be recommended if there is a concern for the health of the mother or unborn baby, if the pregnancy has continued at least 41 weeks (one week past the due date), or if you and your provider agree to an induction at or after 39 weeks gestation.  

Risks of a Labor Induction

If you have a long induction process, it may increase the risk of infection for you and your unborn baby. If your unborn baby does not tolerate uterine contractions, or your labor does not progress appropriately, a cesarean delivery surgery may be recommended.  

Learn about specific instructions with the links below.

For women who breastfeed their baby, support is available from our team of experts. We’ve put together some helpful information about breastfeeding, followed by information about Carilion's lactation consultation resources, equipment rentals and support groups. 

Why Breast Milk Is Important

Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It contains protective antibodies that strengthen the immune system. Breast milk is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

Formula does not contain antibodies found in breast milk. Formula also includes risks from the use of unsafe water, unsterilized equipment or the potential presence of bacteria.

Benefits to Baby

Breast milk, as shown through research, helps to reduce the risk of health problems such as:

• Allergies
• Ear infections
• Gastrointestinal infections

Benefits to Mom

• Helps form a strong bond between mother and baby
• Helps uterus return to pre-pregnancy size quicker
• Burns calories and produces relaxing hormones
• Reduces the risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers
• Cost savings

How Often To Breastfeed

Your baby's tummy is small right after birth, about the size of a marble.

For the first several weeks of life, offer breast milk at least every 3 hours; when needed, attempt to wake your baby to feed. 

Breastfeeding as often and as long as your baby wants tells your body to make the amount of milk your baby needs.

Signs of a Good Latch-On

A good latch-on is the key to a good feeding.

Regardless of the position in which you hold your baby, the latch-on remains the same. Look for the following signs when feeding:

• The baby has a deep latch where the lips meet the breast.
• Both upper and lower lips are flanges (rolled out).
• There is movement in the baby's temples with sucking.
• The jaw moves up and down with sucking.
• There is slight movement of your breast near the baby's lips

Lactation Consultation Services 

We are here to provide support and help with your breastfeeding goals. We are available during your pregnancy and after.  Your insurance may cover lactation consultations and visits during pregnancy and within one year after delivery.  

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us. 

• Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital: 540-855-1073 
• Carilion New River Valley Medical Center: 540-731-2267

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH) is raising awareness of the importance of breastfeeding to help mothers give their babies the best start possible in life.  There are many reasons to breastfeed including the health benefits for mom and baby.  Your Guide to Breastfeeding provides tips about breastfeeding and answers to common questions.  For more information, please click on the link below.

Breast Pump Rentals

Breast pumps are available for rent on a monthly basis from the CRMH lobby pharmacy. Rentals include the breast pump only; necessary accessories and attachments may be purchased separately at an additional cost.  

To rent your breast pump, visit the lobby pharmacy at CRMH Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The pharmacy is located near the front entrance and hospital lobby, behind the gift shop.

If you need help using the pump, please contact our lactation consultants at 540-855-1073. Call the Carilion Pharmacy at 540-266-6480 if you experience a technical issue with your breast pump.

Lactation and Feeding Support Groups

Postpartum Support Virginia offers a variety of lactation and feeding support groups facilitated by lactation professionals. Visit the link to find support and problem solving around newborn and infant feeding.

It’s important to follow up with you doctor after you give birth. This helps ensure the health of you and your baby and avoid complications that might arise after giving birth. Please call your OB office if you have any concerns or questions—we want to talk with you.

Most women who give birth recover without problems. But any woman can experience complications. If you have any of the following warning signs, seek care right away.

Call 911 if you have:

• Pain in chest
• Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else

Call your health care provider (if you cannot reach your OB office, call 911 or go to an emergency room) if you have:

• Bleeding, soaking through one pad/hour, or blood clots, the size of an egg or bigger
• Incision that is not healing
• Red or swollen leg, that is painful or warm to touch
• Temperature of 100.4°F or higher
• Headache that does not get better, even after taking medicine, or a bad headache with vision changes

For more information, click on the link below.

Something to consider after pregnancy is family planning. The helpful chart below outlines common methods of reproductive health planning.  You can make an informed decision on the best options that fit your lifestyle.

Find out more in our Q&A with Carilion Clinic OB/GYN specialist Jaclyn Nunziato, M.D.: Answers to Common Questions about Birth Control.

Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT), which is part of the Women's Urogynecology department, offers a comprehensive, customized approach to bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction. After delivery, you may notice changes in your pelvic floor, a group of muscles and ligaments that support your bladder, uterus and bowel. PFPT may provide improvement.

Talk with your OB provider about a referral to PFPT if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• A perineal tear or laceration during delivery
• Pain with intercourse
• Leakage of gas, urine or stool
• Difficulty with urination
• Urinary frequency and urgency
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic floor pressure and heaviness

Often when someone experiences a perinatal loss, feelings of isolation, guilt and a sense that no one understands what they’re going through may occur. It’s important to know that many others have known this type of loss; in fact, one in five pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, and one in 100 experience a stillbirth. 

Carilion Clinic’s Forget-Me-Not Program provides support to individuals and families who have experienced loss through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or death of a newborn or child up to one year of age.  

Each grief journey is individual. We realize that it is often comforting to be with others who understand what you are going through, and we offer support through educational handouts, community events and small group meetings. Meetings are facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker, and there is no charge to participate in these meetings.   

For more information on the Forget-Me-Not Program and other resources, please use the link below or call Carilion Direct at 540-266-6000 or 1-800-422-8482. 

Substance use disorder is a disease that affects many aspects of life. Successful treatment often requires medical treatment, counseling and support. We want to support you. Please talk with your OB Provider. 

The journey to better health and wellness doesn’t just happen in your physician's office. It starts in your home, at your school and where you work and play.

Carilion Clinic Community Health and Outreach (CHO) is here to support your well-being wherever you are.

Find out how we collaborate with partners and providers to unlock our community’s potential to thrive.

We invite you to check out Carilion Clinic’s online Health Learning Center (HLC), a collection of 2- to 3-minute videos on a variety of health topics. Your provider may select specific videos for you for to watch. Please talk with the staff in your office to learn more. 

You can access the HLC through your MyChart account or a separate HLC account. Use the link below to set up and/or sign into your Carilion HLC account.  

MyChart offers a secure, convenient online tool to manage your health care anytime, anywhere, at no charge. Sign up for MyChart on your desktop or with our mobile app. Managing your health has never been easier.

Please use the link below to learn how to set up your MyChart account.