By Eiman El-Tag, M.D.
OBGYN
Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane and Henry Ford Medical Center-ACCESS

Ask a pregnant Arab-American woman, “What do you want, a boy or a girl?” More than likely she’ll answer, as many moms-to-be, “I don’t care as long as it’s a healthy baby.”

As a bilingual, Muslim obstetrics and gynecological physician, I am particularly sensitive to the cultural needs of my patients and their families. For example, every Ramadan some of my patients would insist, “I want to fast.” In most cases, instead of saying an automatic, “No,” I’ll say, “You may try.” I closely monitor these patients and usually they quickly realize, “I can’t fast but at least I tried.” I also remind them that the fast can be made up later.

As a mother of two beautiful girls, I want my patients and their babies to have the same healthy outcome. Quality prenatal care is essential for the health of the mother and the baby. Babies who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born who receive prenatal care. That’s why it is so important that you seek medical care if you even think that you might be pregnant. My general advice to women is to get a yearly gynecological exam even before conception. The exam can detect and address potential problems that may occur during your pregnancy.

It is important for pregnant women to eat a healthy diet and to exercise on a regular basis. The traditional Mediterranean diet that includes whole lentils, fruits and vegetables, chicken and fish and homemade yogurt are nutritious foods for both mother and baby. Still, patients don’t get enough vitamins in their foods.

Often I’ll recommend a multi-vitamin that includes a vitamin D supplement, which is for good for bone health. For religious reasons, some of my patients are covered in dark traditional clothing that prevents sunlight from the skin. That means the baby isn’t getting enough of this important vitamin. Health care professionals say more children than ever are presenting with vitamin D deficiency, which can cause seizures and rickets.

The initial prenatal visit will include asking a lot of questions about your general health and family medical history. Patients also will undergo a urine test for infection and pap smear. At later prenatal visits your health provider will continue to monitor you and see how the baby is positioned and listen for the baby’s heartbeat.

Pregnant women are usually classified as being a low or high risk pregnancy. Healthy women who are between the ages of 18 and 35 are generally expected to have a normal delivery without any serious complications. In addition, high-risk patients are under 15 or older than 35 who may experience complications such as bleeding during the third trimester; abnormalities with the reproductive tract and chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension. Women over the age of 35 may be at a higher risk for genetic defects such as Down syndrome. These patients may have to be monitored more closely and in certain cases may be referred to a perinatologist or someone who specializes in high-risk pregnancy for further evaluation.

Generally, many Arab-American women prefer a female health provider because of modesty issues or simply out of choice. Some prefer a physician while others prefer a certified-nurse-midwife.  
Through a collaborative effort between Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, women can choose the type of care they receive. Our midwives are highly trained and provide care for women from puberty through menopause, with emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, gynecology and family planning. If a patient’s pregnancy, labor or delivery deviates from the normal course, the midwife consults a collaborating physician. 

Remember that I come from your culture and speak your language. Therefore I am dedicated to promoting culturally competent care in our community. If you think you may be or are pregnant, call us for a physician or specialist at (800) henryford (436-7936) or go online to: www.henryford.com.