Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
MMC’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department provides comprehensive care for women at every stage of life, from adolescence through menopause. Our services include well woman care, pregnancy and delivery, fertility, and advanced medical and surgical treatment options, including laparoscopy. Patients benefit from access to more than 20 medical specialties in one location, allowing our providers to collaborate for the best possible care. Expectant mothers also have the advantage of MMC’s connection to Middle Tennessee’s largest pediatric group. We are committed to expert, compassionate care with the convenience of on-site diagnostic and lab services. Our team provides 24/7 coverage, ensuring patients receive the care they need, when they need it. For appointments or non-urgent messages, contact us through the MMC & Me FollowMyHealth portal or call 615-867-8030.
MMC Obstetrics and Gynecology is proud to be the first Recognized NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP) in the entire state of Tennessee.
Following an intensive vetting process based on industry-leading best practices, MMC OBGYN has demonstrated a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care. Evidence-based care is provided by following best practices and based on recommendations by various accredited organizations including the American Academy of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Please visit the NCQA website for more information.
MMC Obstetrics and Gynecology is honored to be announced as the winner of Best of Parenting in 2023 in the Rutherford area under the category best OBGYN.
Physicians
Advanced Practice Providers
Obstetrical Services
Diagnostics
- Mammography
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- Complete laboratory
- Radiological testing
- Pap smears
- Diagnostic laparoscopy
- Colposcopy
- Fertility
Total Fetal Surveillance
- Biophysical profiles
- Non-stress fetal testing
- Ultrasound
Labor & Delivery
PREPARE YOUR BODY AND MIND FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY OF YOUR BABY.
Monitoring your contractions during labor
Knowing if you are showing signs of true labor or if you are experiencing something else, such as Braxton-Hicks contractions (also known as false labor), can be difficult. But you can monitor your contractions to know for certain.
Contractions might begin as frequently as 10 minutes apart. Time them from the start of one contraction to the start of the next, and be aware if they grow stronger, longer, and closer together.
Contact your health care provider if you are having more painful, frequent, rhythmic contractions, and you have not reached 37 weeks, as this could be a sign of preterm labor.
Baby's changes during labor and delivery
Your baby's body prepares for childbirth in notable ways:
- A surge in hormones, which might play a role in initiating labor. These hormones also help your baby maintain her blood pressure and blood sugar levels after birth.
- Your baby's head drops into your pelvis; this is called lightening or engagement.
The basics of labor and delivery
Stage I: Early labor, active labor, and transition
Early labor can last six to 12 hours, and your cervix will open (dilate) to 4 cm.
Active labor can last four to eight hours, and your cervix will dilate from 4 cm to 6 cm.
During transition, your cervix will dilate from 7 cm to 10 cm, and your contractions will strengthen and get closer together. When your cervix is dilated to 10 cm, your body is ready for the second stage of labor.
Stage II: Baby's birth
This stage can take up to three hours, but your labor might be shorter or longer. During Stage II, your body is ready to push the baby out. Most babies are born head first. His shoulders, arms, and legs follow, making birthing the shortest part of labor.
Stage III: Delivery of the placenta
This stage is short, usually lasting anywhere from five to 20 minutes, as your uterus continues to contract to push out the placenta (afterbirth).
Wellness during labor and delivery
Managing pain during childbirth:
There are many options for managing pain during childbirth. Some of the most widely used options include:
- Relaxation
- Breathing
- A warm shower
- Walking during labor
- Analgesics
- An epidural
- Other pain medications administered by your health care team
Baby delivery methods
Through ongoing monitoring at your final prenatal appointments and during labor, you and your doctor will determine the delivery method that's best for you and your baby. These methods include:
Vaginal delivery
The most common method of delivery; first births last about 12 to 14 hours.
Scheduled cesarean birth (C-section)
Based on your medical history, your health, and your baby's size and health, your doctor might schedule you for a cesarean birth.
Emergency cesarean birth
Under certain circumstances, your doctor might recommend a cesarean delivery if vaginal delivery is not progressing or if there is a safety concern for the mom or her baby.
VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)
Some pregnant women who previously had a cesarean delivery might be able to deliver babies vaginally in later pregnancies.
Your Recovery After Birth
After your baby is born, you both will continue to be monitored by your health care team. Most women who deliver vaginally spend one to two days recuperating in the hospital. Women who deliver by cesarean normally spend three to four days recovering in the hospital. In either case, your hospital stay likely will include:
- Ongoing monitoring of your and your baby's health
- Assistance, tips, and advice from the health care team on your newborn's care
- Help with breastfeeding or bottle feeding with Similac®
Make sure you're ready when "it's time." Check out our Essential Hospital Bag Checklist.
Pregnancy Resources
Medications During Pregnancy
General Guidelines:
- Follow the directions on the package as there is no need to adjust dosing during pregnancy for the medications on the list.
- If your symptoms do not improve with these medications or if you are planning to take a medication that is not on the list, call us FIRST.
- Generic equivalents are safe.
- Call your Pediatrician for any questions related to medications while breastfeeding.
Safe Medications During Pregnancy
Symptom: Nausea, Vomiting
Medication: Emetrol, Benadryl, Dramamine, Less Drowsy Dramamine, real Ginger Ale, Sea Bands
Symptom: Gas, Indigestion, Heartburn
Medication: Mylanta, Maalox, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, Tums, Rolaids, Zantac or any other-the-counter indigestion medicines
Symptom: Sinus, Colds
Medication: All cough and throat lozenges and sprays, Robitussin DM, vapor rub, pseudoephedrine
Symptom: Headache
Medication: Regular or Extra Strength Tylenol, Tylenol-PM
Symptom: Diarrhea
Medication: Immodium AD after 24 hours of symptoms
Symptom: Constipation
Medication: Metamucil, Citrucel, Benafiber, Colace, Miralax
Symptom: Fever Blisters
Medication: Campophenique, Blistex
Symptom: Seasonal Allergies/Rhinitis
Medication: Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase, Nasonex, Mucinex
Medications to AVOID During Pregnancy:
Asprin: Excedrin, Bufferin, Goodys, BC Powder
Ibuprofen: Advil, Nuprin, Midol, Motrin
Naproxen: Aleve, Naprosyn
Ketoprofen: Orudis, Actron
Decongestants: Sudaphed PE
Check with your Doctor before using:
Nasal Sprays
Milk of Magnesia
Activities Recommendations
Your physician may need to modify these recommendations based on your specific health considerations. Before any activity, notify the professional in charge that you are pregnant. Tobacco smoke and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. Pregnant women should also avoid secondhand smoke. The safety of e-cigarettes is undetermined, and many of these products contain flavorings, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Caffeine consumption should be limited to the equivalent of 8oz of coffee per day.
Amusement Park Rides
Follow park recommendations
Bathing
Tubs baths and showers are allowed
Cats
Avoid handing cat litter. If absolutely necessary use gloves and a mask
Dentist
Good dental hygiene is associated with better pregnancy outcomes. Local anesthetics (numbing injections or gels) and shielded x-rays are permissible if necessary.
Exercise
Exercise is good for you and your baby. Avoid overly strenuous activity by following these common-sense guidelines:
- If it hurts, don't do it.
- Stay aerobic (able to speak in full sentences). If you are huffing and puffing, slow down.
- Avoid activity that requires balance and risks injury (cycling, skiing, roller blading, etc).
Exterminators
Avoid areas with strong odors
Fumes
Avoid any fumes/odors that cause nausea, headaches, or dizziness
Hair Treatments
Avoid perms and hair color. Highlights and lowlights are allowed with proper ventilation
Horseback Riding, Skiing, and Roller Blading
Avoid these and other sports that risk trauma to your abdomen
Hot Tubs
Allowed after the first 12 weeks of Pregnancy. The temperature should not exceed 100 degrees F
Nails
Manicures and pedicures and allowed. Acrylic nails are allowed with proper ventilation
Painting
Allowed with proper ventilation. Avoid lead and oil-based paints
Swimming
Allowed
Tanning
Avoid tanning beds! Adequate sunscreen should always be used for outdoor activities. Tanning lotions are allowed.
Useful Links for Environmental Exposure Concerns
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unites (PEHSUs) works with health care professionals, parents, schools, and community groups to provide information about protecting children from environmental hazards.
http://www.pehsu.net/general_public.html
Below is the link to the University of California, San Francisco's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment.
http://prhe.ucsf.edu/prhe/families.html
Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes annual lists of "dirty dozen" (foods likely to be high in pesticide residue) and "clean 15" (foods likely to be low in pesticide residue).
Other important resources include:
Food Safety for Pregnant Women
It is important to be aware of proper food safety during pregnancy. See the link below to become better familiarized with the correct dietary guidelines to ensure protection for you and your baby.
Gynecological Services
MMC OBGYN provides well woman care for adolescents through and beyond menopause for women of Middle Tennessee, services provided in Murfreesboro at our main campus on Garrison Drive and towards Shelbyville on Shelbyville Pike/Highway 231.
- Well woman visits
- Birth Control options including IUD’s and Nexplanon
- STD screening and treatment
- Breast concerns
- Vaginal symptoms
- Urinary tract symptoms
- Pelvic pain
- Bleeding irregularities including irregular cycles, heavy periods, painful periods
- Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
- PCOS
- Pre-conceptual visits
- Decrease sex drive, arousal, and pain with intercourse
- Peri-menopause / menopause
Urological Gynecological Services
MMC OBGYN provide cares for a variety urological women’s care issues for women of all ages. Urological Gynecology services are offered only at the main campus location.
- Hematuria
- Recurrent UTIs
- Stress Urinary Incontinence
- Mixed Incontinence
- Overactive Bladder/Urge Incontinence
- Interstitial cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
Procedures & Surgery
- Obstetrics
- Artificial insemination
- Minimally Invasive Hysterectomies
- In-Office Hysteroscopy
- Endometrial Ablation
- Pelvic Reconstruction and non-surgical management of pelvic support defects
- Laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of pelvic masses, ectopic, pelvic pain, endometriosis, infertility and others
- Surgical treatment of cervical precancer
At MMC’s OBGYN department, we want to be a collaborative partner in your health throughout your life. Our passion remains being a leader in cutting edge medicine and respecting our patients’ dignity by listening to their concerns. Your best health is our priority. Contact us today at 615-867-8030 to schedule an appointment.