Pregnancy

You're pregnant, and suddenly a flood of emotion overcomes you. The excitement over the new life you're creating is twinged with nervousness. Because being pregnant is an enormous responsibility - to the growing fetus, and to yourself. By taking care of your health, you'll increase the chances of having a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy child. PHDtoGo is there to help every month of the way, with its easy to use calendar-oriented application and health-tracking system.

PHDtoGo lets you keep track of your doctors' appointments and tests. These can include your regular visits to your gynecologist-obstetrician, as well as to a genetic counselor, specialists, a nutritionist, and certified nurse-midwife.

With PHDtoGo, you can mark your appointments, week after week. You can make note of:

• Any questions that you might have, including how to cope with morning sickness and heartburn
• Any symptoms you are experiencing, such as swollen feet and contractions
• Special precautions, such as taking folic acid and staying away from caffeine and alcohol

Every time you visit a different physician, you'll be asked to provide your medical history, as well as your partner's. With PHDtoGo, you'll find it easy and convenient to produce this detailed information.

Whether you're pregnant, or considering having a child, urine and blood tests become a regular part of your monthly routine. These tests determine whether you are in fact pregnant, or if there are any genetic problems that need to be investigated. For instance, a blood test can indicate if there is a higher risk of chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome, which need to be checked out with an amniocentesis.

By keeping a record of your lab results on PHDtoGo, you'll avoid any unnecessary tests. You can save time and money by reminding your doctor that some information, such as your Rh factor and blood type, are already in your file.

As each week passes, you'll need to watch your weight. You may risk harming your baby's development by putting on pounds too quickly or too slowly. PHDtoGo makes charting your weight simple and fun, as you gradually start to "look pregnant."

If you are seriously overweight, you might consider a weight-reduction program before getting pregnant. PHDtoGo lets you monitor your diet and exercise program as you safely work your way down to your ideal weight.

Before you get pregnant, your doctor may want you to take several tests, which you can track on PHDtoGo. These include:

• hepatitis B
• rubella (German measles)
• chicken pox
• sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea and AIDS

This is also a good time to screen for inherited diseases, such as:

• Tay-Sachs and sickle cell disease
• hemophilia
• cystic fibrosis
• muscular dystrophy

Should you need genetic counseling, PHDtoGo makes it easier to take an inventory of your family's health history. This information can be a crucial diagnostic tool to determine the risks to your unborn child.

If you develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, your doctor will want to make sure you aren't at risk. PHDtoGo lets you track of your blood pressure, especially if you're monitoring it every day at home. This important precaution could prevent you from progressing to eclampsia, a medical emergency. If you have diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar with PHDtoGo before and during your pregnancy can also improve your chances of having a healthy child.

Every time you have an ultrasound, you can mark the exciting growth of your baby in your PHDtoGo file. Ultrasounds also let your doctor determine the position and size of the fetus, and check for any abnormalities. You'll also want to note your last menstrual cycle in your Personal Health Diary. This will help your doctor determine your due-date.

With PHDtoGo, you can maintain a private record of any emotional issues you've discussed with your doctor. By maintaining a private and secure Personal Health Diary, you can you chart your progress if you're dealing with:

• depression
• mood swings
• anxiety
• sleep problems
• sexual concerns

You'll feel more at ease knowing that your Emergency Page, containing a summary of your diseases, medications and allergies, can be accessed any time, anywhere, by authorized emergency personnel. This can be very helpful should you need to go to the hospital unexpectedly. By maintaining a PHDtoGo Emergency Page, you or your partner won't forget important medical information when you need it most.