Early prenatal care is important.  Call us to schedule an appointment as soon as you find out you are pregnant.  In the beginning of a normal pregnancy, we will see a patient each month up until 28 weeks; visits will then change to every 2 weeks until 36 weeks.  Patients will then be seen weekly until delivery. Depending on how your pregnancy is progressing your physician may alter this schedule.

At your first visit you can expect a complete discussion on medical history and an ultrasound; some doctors will perform the physical on that visit as well.  Patients will undergo a pap smear, blood/urine test and chlamydia/gonorrhea cultures if needed. We will also discuss your options for genetic testing should you have interest in this service.

At subsequent visits we will take a patient’s blood pressure, weight, examine urine for sugar and protein and listen to baby’s heart rate.  When appropriate we will measure the uterine size.

There are some other specific dates for testing:

• 10+ weeks – this is when genetic testing can be performed if desired.  Depending on type of genetic testing performed ,follow up blood work may be needed.  See genetic testing section for details and an explanation of the test.
• 20 weeks – routine screening ultrasound for anatomy through our office or St. Luke’s perinatal office, depending on the pregnancy.
• 27-28 weeks – Gestational diabetes screen will be performed as well as other routine blood work.  You will be given TDAP vaccine to help protect baby.  If you have Rh negative blood type Rhogam injection will be given as well.
• 35-37 weeks – Group B Strep screen is performed.  An ultrasound is normally performed during this time as well to check for fetal position, amniotic fluid and growth if indicated.