Suffice it to say: We love babies. Ask any of our board-certified obstetrics and gynecology doctors and they'll tell you they often feel they have the best jobs in the world. In fact, we deliver more than 1500 babies every year!

We see moms-to-be at three convenient clinics in Maple Grove, Crystal, and Plymouth, and deliver babies at Maple Grove Hospital and North Memorial Medical Center, in Robbinsdale.

Have a question?

Advanced Care Services

If you need more advanced care for prenatal health concerns that include high-risk pregnancy, pregnancy complications, fetal abnormalities, and maternal-child health during pregnancy, we partner with perinatologists from University of Minnesota Physicians Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center.
If you have questions about when you should first be seen, please call us at 763-587-7000. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Pregnancy care services include: Prenatal care for routine and high-risk pregnancies Prenatal screenings, including amniocentesis Screening for birth defects and abnormalities Laboratory testing Comprehensive ultrasound Birth planning options Prenatal yoga classes Labor and delivery Breastfeeding (lactation consults) Post-partum care

Review our new Obstetrics Booklet

Screening for birth defects and fetal chromosome abnormalities

Even though most babies are born healthy, a small percent (3%-5%) are born with a birth defect. Some parents want to know if their baby has a birth defect so they can prepare for a child with special needs. Others might choose to end the pregnancy. For most parents, the results are negative (meaning no defects detected) which greatly reduces anxiety about the pregnancy. There are a variety of ways that your baby can be screened before birth to detect some birth defects. None of these tests detect all birth defects.

As a woman’s age increases, so too does her baby’s risk of Down Syndrome and other chromosome problems. Based on age alone, a 20-year-old woman has a 1 out of 1500 chance of delivering a baby with Down Syndrome; a 40-year-old woman has a 1 out of 100 chance.

Blood tests, ultrasounds, or both can provide a more accurate estimate of the risk of Down Syndrome and other chromosome problems than the risk based on the mother’s age alone. The decision to have testing is up to you and we'll do our best to explain your options to you. Review the options for testing are below.

Nuchal translucency and serum screening:

• offered to all pregnant women
• nuchal translucency is an ultrasound measurement of fluid normally present at the back of a baby’s neck
• this test also includes measuring free beta hCG and PAPP-A, two proteins present in the mother’s blood during pregnancy
• performed at 11-14 weeks gestation
• detects 82-87% of babies with Down syndrome
• if this test is normal, a follow-up test (blood test or ultrasound) for spina bifida is still offered at 16-20 weeks gestation
• Performed at North Memorial Medical Center

Quad screen:

• Offered to all pregnant women
• An alternative to nuchal translucency and serum screening
• This blood test measures MSAFP, hCG, estriol and inhibin-A, proteins and hormones present in a mother’s blood during pregnancy
• Performed at 16-20 weeks gestation. The blood is drawn in our clinic
• Detects 90% of babies with spina bifida or anencephaly, birth defects in which the spine or brain dos not form properly. These conditions happen in 1 out of 1000 pregnancies.
• This test detects approximately 80% of babies with Down syndrome
• Approximately 5% of all pregnancies will have a positive screen result indicating a higher risk of Down syndrome or other chromosome abnormalities. A consultation and ultrasound exam is scheduled with a genetic counselor and perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) at North Memorial. Based on that evaluation, amniocentesis may be offered

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

• available to all women
• a needle is place in the uterus through the cervix or abdomen to remove a very small piece of the placenta
• performed at 10-12 weeks gestation
• checks the baby’s chromosomes when a chromosomal abnormality is suspected, this test provides information earlier than amniocentesis
• risk of miscarriage is 1-2 out of 100 (1-2% chance)
• performed at Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Amniocentesis

• available to all women
• a needle is placed in the uterus to remove a small amount of fluid from around the baby
• performed at 15-18 weeks gestation
• checks the baby’s chromosomes when a chromosomal abnormality is suspected o this test is the most accurate to diagnose a chromosome problem
• risk of a miscarriage is 1 out of 200 (0.5% chance)
• performed at North Memorial Medical Center

Targeted ultrasound (also called Level II ultrasound)

• available to all women
• offered to women at elevated risk for Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities
• also offered if there are twins, a family history of certain birth defects or abnormal quad screen
• performed at 19-22 weeks gestation
• a very detailed look at the baby’s anatomy
• looks for the presence of specific birth defects associated with chromosomal abnormalities
• if the baby does look abnormal, an amniocentesis might be offered o performed at North Memorial Medical Center

Screening ultrasound 

• offered to low risk women
• performed at 19-22 weeks of pregnancy
• a detailed look at the baby’s anatomy
• if the baby does look abnormal, an amniocentesis or targeted ultrasound might be recommended
• performed at Oakdale OB/GYN

Learn more about Ultrasounds:

What is Ultrasound?

Your Obstetrical Ultrasound.

Ultrasound

We offer a screening ultrasound to our pregnant patients at 19-22 weeks. An ultrasound examination at this time of the pregnancy allows an assessment of the baby’s growth and development. Abnormal conditions (congenital anomalies or birth defects) may be detected. The ultrasound also helps confirm the due date. Most insurance companies provide coverage for this type of ultrasound examination.

It is important to know that not all birth defects can be detected by ultrasound. Some abnormalities are too small to be seen or appear later in pregnancy. Some organ systems may be more difficult to assess because of the baby’s position or the size of the mother. We do not regard this examination as the making of a keepsake video and do not give out a videotaped copy of the ultrasound. We also do not allow video cameras in the room during the examination. We ask that you limit the number of people that accompany you to three. While there are clinics or organizations that perform 3-D and 4-D ultrasound examinations as keepsakes, these types of ultrasound examinations are usually not medically indicated and are not covered by insurance unless there is a medical reason for performing the exam. We do not perform 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds in our office.

Laboratory testing

At the beginning of your pregnancy laboratory testing of your blood is typically done at your first visit. The information helps us determine your blood count, blood type, and whether or not you may have other treatable conditions. Most often, the results of your tests are discussed at scheduled office visits. Please do not call the office to check for test results, unless you have been instructed to do so.

Non-stress test

A non-stress test measures your baby’s heart rate to in response to movements made by the baby. During a non-stress test, an external (outside) monitor is placed around your abdomen to record the baby’s heart rate. Each time the baby moves, the movement is noted on monitor strip. Any changes in heart rate during movements are recorded.

Prenatal Yoga Classes: connect with your baby

You'll love our Prenatal Yoga Sessions. Join other moms in this warm environment and connect with your baby in a new way.

Yoga during pregnancy is a great way to stay in shape and to connect with your baby. Whether you are an advanced yoga practitioner or new to yoga, we invite moms-to-be to join our prenatal yoga classes that will help to prepare the body and heart for childbirth. Led by seasoned fitness trainers who are moms too, you’ll connect with other moms in a safe, warm environment.  What do you need? Comfortable clothing, a yoga mat, towel, and water.

Breast feeding

Kelly Ihry C.N.P., is a Board Certified Lactation Counselor. She is an invaluable asset to breast feeding mothers by reassuring them when breast feeding is going well, and she provides information and support to help prevent and manage common breast feeding concerns. As a lactation consultant, Kelly Ihry C.N.P., can teach you about the risk factors that may affect your breast feeding experience, basic position of your baby, preventing and managing common questions about breast feeding, storage of milk, breast and nipple pain and care, latch of your baby, how to continue breast feeding when mother return to work, and instructions for challenging situations. Read more about breast feeding. 

Our own ObGyn Taryn McEvoy, MD, shares her experience as a working mom who breastfeeds and offers tips to managing breastfeeding at work. Read her blog...

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in women who have high blood sugar levels for the first time during pregnancy. Your body needs glucose (sugar) for energy, but too much glucose may be harmful for you or your baby. An estimated four to 12 percent of pregnant women develop GDM and two to 14 percent of those will have Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Left untreated, diabetes puts new mothers at risk for serious health concerns. Learn more.

If you are diagnosed with GDM, your Oakdale ObGyn doctor will work with you to determine next steps in managing this condition during your pregnancy. This may include a referral to a diabetes nurse educator and simple changes in your lifestyle.

What if I have nausea in pregnancy?

Unfortunately, 70-85% of pregnant women experience nausea. The cause of this symptom is not really understood. Interestingly, women who have nausea during pregnancy tend to have fewer miscarriages or stillborns than women without this symptom.

Nausea and vomiting typically begin early in pregnancy and usually resolve by 10-12 weeks. Ten percent of women may still have symptoms after 16 weeks. Here are some treatment suggestions:

• Eat small frequent meals (every 2-3 hours)
• Eat as soon as you get hungry
• Drink liquids between meals, not with them
• Drink room temperature beverages rather than cold or hot ones
• Try lemonade or ginger ale
• Avoid greasy or high fat foods (yet some women tolerate potato chips)
• Eat high carbohydrate foods (crackers, rice, pasta, fruits)
• Eat high protein foods (eggs, beans, chicken)
• Change position slowly
• Do not take iron supplements
• Do not brush your teeth after eating
• Take vitamin B6 25 mg three to four times a day
• Take on half of a Unisom tablet (over the counter sleep aid) with the vitamin B three to four times a day
• Try Sea-Band or Relief Band (devices that apply pressure on the inner wrist and use acupressure to relieve nausea)

What over the counter medications are ok to take?

• For heartburn: Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, Riopan, Zantac, Pepcid AC
• Nausea/Vomiting: Vitamin B, Unisom, Emetrol
• Constipation: Fibercon, Metamucil, Citrucel, Senokot
• Headaches: Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, acetaminophen, ibuprofen (ibuprofen may be used between 13 and 27 weeks)
• Colds/Allergies: Sudafed, Actifed, Tylenol Sinus, Drixoral, Robitussen DM cough syrup
• Insomnia: Tylenol PM, Unisom, Benadryl