Congratulations!

We would like to offer our congratulations on the upcoming birth of your child. We know that pregnancy can be a very stressful time and a time of many changes and adjustments in your life. We will do everything we can to help make this a pleasant, enjoyable, and most of all, a healthy experience.

We have developed this website for you to use as a reference from time to time during your pregnancy. We hope it will answer many of your questions and help guide you through a successful pregnancy.

Once again, each one of us wishes to extend our most sincere congratulations to you!

Joseph L. Beaudrot, III, M.D.
Steven P. Carter, M.D.
Amy Y. Forrest, M.D.
Suzanne D. Dixon, M.D.
John A.H. Russell, M.D.

ABOUT OUR OFFICE
Our office is open from 8:00-5:00 Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 8:00-8:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. We are also available for visits in our Laurens office on Fridays from 8:30 to 3:30. We encourage that routine calls be made during regular office hours. Our office personnel are trained to answer many of your questions. We do request that you, the patient, make the phone call, as certain questions cannot be answered by your spouse, friend, or family member.

FIRST OB CHECK-UP
Your first obstetrical visit to our office will include a complete history and physical. Your estimated date of delivery or due date will be determined. Routine lab work as described later in this book will be obtained. Denise Camp, our obstetrical counselor, will also meet with you at this time and answer any questions you might have.

OFFICE VISITS
You will be visiting our office very frequently during your pregnancy. Your appointments will be scheduled so that you will be seeing all of the doctors in our practice. We rotate call, so there is no way of determining who will deliver our baby.

After your first prenatal visit, the following visits are shorter. You will be seen every four to five weeks until you are twenty-eight weeks, every two weeks until you are thirty-six weeks, and then every week until the end of your pregnancy.

During your prenatal visits, we will check and record your weight, blood pressure, blood count, urine and listen to the baby's heartbeat. The doctor will do a vaginal exam if indicated to determine any cervical changes which might indicate premature labor.

Your prenatal visits are a special time for you to learn about yourself and your baby. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

EMERGENCIES
Notifying and relaying the correct information to our physician is very important, particularly in emergencies. WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE TRY TO CALL DURING OFFICE HOURS IF POSSIBLE. This will usually allow you to discuss your problem with the physician with the facility of your chart present. However, if an emergency arises during the night or weekends, call Self Regional Hospital at 725-4111 to speak with the doctor on call. Please tell the doctor your name, whether you are pregnant or not (since all calls are not related to pregnancy), approximately your gestational age in months, and your present problem. Please don't have your husband, relative, or friend call for you as there are specific questions the doctor may want to ask you. There are many situations that can be handled in the office more efficiently and effectively. However, we are always happy to see you in the Emergency Room for urgent and acute cases. PLEASE ALWAYS CALL THE DOCTOR BEFORE GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

PRENATAL EDUCATION
Childbirth classes are offered through Birth Connection at Self Regional Healthcare. Please call (864) 725-5748 for more information.


OUR OFFICE STAFF
During your pregnancy you will get to know all of our office staff. Please feel free to ask any of our employees for answers to any questions you might have during your pregnancy. The following staff members will be particularly helpful in answering any questions you might have.

DENISE CAMP – Denise is our Obstetrical Counselor and also an Operating Room Technician. She will meet with you during your first visit and review with you all important aspects of your pregnancy. Please call her with any questions you might have during your pregnancy.

JOAN McCRAW, R.N., R.D.M.S. - Joan is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Ultrasonographer. She will perform most of the ultra sounds done during your pregnancy unless an emergency requires it to be done at Self Regional.

PATIENT LIBRARY
We have the following books that are available for checkout at the receptionist's desk:

What to Expect When You're Expecting
The Complete Book of Breastfeeding
What to Eat When You're Expecting

Many other educational materials are available.