The healthcare providers at our practices offer prenatal care and testing at our locations. This is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. Feel confident that you have the support and guidance you deserve from our dedicated medical team.

What is Prenatal Care?

provider during your pregnancy. Whenever possible, it is recommended to commence prenatal care before becoming pregnant through preconception counseling. After you become pregnant, your healthcare team keeps track of your health while monitoring the health and development of your growing baby. If this has not been discussed during preconception counseling as part of your prenatal care, you will need to:

• Begin taking prenatal vitamins. This ensures that you and your baby receive 400 micrograms of folic acid, which reduces the risk of neural tube defects while also delivering beneficial vitamins.
• Stop smoking tobacco products and drinking alcohol. Using these while pregnant introduces the risk of low birth rate, fetal alcohol syndrome and sudden infant death syndrome.
• Talk about current medications. There are certain medications that are not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Discuss health concerns. If you have a previous or present medical condition, this could make your pregnancy high-risk, which means your prenatal care will need to be even more closely monitored.

How Often Are Prenatal Checks?

The frequency and schedule for your prenatal care visits depend on whether your pregnancy is low or high-risk and how far along you are in your pregnancy. A standard prenatal schedule for mothers-to-be between the ages of 18 and 35 may look something like this:

• First 32 weeks – every 4 to 6 weeks
• 32^nd through 37^th weeks – every 2 to 3 weeks
• 37^th  week – once a week until delivery

Women over the age of 35 will be seen more regularly because there is a higher chance that premature birth or being pregnant with multiples may occur. Additionally, any high-risk pregnancy entails added prenatal checkups to allow for closer observation of the health of the mother and baby.

Prenatal Tests

Prenatal care is imperative. It can prevent complications and mitigate problems. Your doctors will perform routine testing so that any potential issue can be detected and treated as early as possible. Prenatal tests include:

• Regular blood pressure checks and urine tests
• Ultrasound
• Blood tests
• Glucose level tests
• Testing for congenital disabilities
• Genetic testing

Throughout your pregnancy, we will recommend certain testing and help you make an informed decision about what is right for you.

Schedule Your Appointment

Start receiving first-class prenatal care in a welcoming and compassionate environment. Contact us to schedule an appointment.