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In women who are low risk, visits usually occur:
The frequency of visits may increase if pregnancy is determined to be high risk.
After your pregnancy has been confirmed and an ultrasound shows a viable fetus, you can start your prenatal care.
The goal of prenatal care is to ensure the birth of a healthy baby with minimal risk for the mother.
Your first visit (the OB work-up) will include:
A thorough patient history (note these were below and should all go together
This will include personal information and information about your past obstetrical, gynecological, medical, and surgical history. Family history will identify risks for genetic disease.
A thorough physical exam
This will allow your doctor to evaluate the size of your uterus and the adequacy of your pelvis. Weight, blood pressure, and urine are checked and recorded. A body mass index is calculated to determine the proper amount of weight gain during pregnancy and to help identify at-risk populations.
Every visit will consist of:
The second trimester is very similar to the first in terms of routine evaluation of weight, blood pressure, urine, and uterine size.
The other important tests that are performed during this trimester are:
Prenatal visits still include evaluation of weight, blood pressure, urine, uterine size, and fetal heart rate and position.
The important tests that are performed during this trimester are:
Other goals of Third Trimester screening are to diagnose fetal malposition and preeclampsia.
Approximately 6-8% of pregnancies will go past the assigned due date. The risks of going past the due date include:
In order to prevent the problems with post term pregnancy, our practice recommends delivery by 41 weeks with induction if there is no spontaneous labor.
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