563.355.1853
Intro to Prenatal Care Process
After You Have A Positive Home Pregnancy Test, Call Our Office To Schedule Your Initial Appointment.
This initial appointment is referred to as a confirmation of pregnancy visit. We would like to see you for this first appointment between 8-9 weeks gestation. During this confirmation of pregnancy visit, you will have an ultrasound if you have not already had one, and meet with a certified nurse midwife to go over the results. Your medical history will be reviewed including any medications you are taking. The nurse or midwife you are seeing that day will give you an informational booklet and a link for videos that you should watch while you are waiting or at home, and you will be given information about optional screening tests as well. You will also have lab work done at this visit.
What Happens After My Confirmation Of Pregnancy Visit?
Your next visit with us is called the New OB Exam. At this visit, you will meet with a certified nurse midwife to do a physical exam and review any health problems you may have or medications you are taking which may affect your pregnancy. You will also have a complete physical exam. At this point, you will also decide whether you prefer to see doctors, or midwives, or participate in group prenatal care for your pregnancy. We may recommend physician care if you have significant risk factors in your pregnancy. We will then schedule a follow-up appointment approximately two to four weeks following the interview appointment.
What Happens After My New OB Exam?
Between the first OB visit and 28 weeks, we would usually like you to schedule a visit about every four weeks. Starting around 28 weeks, your visits will increase to every 2 weeks, and then to weekly visits from 35-36 weeks until delivery. If you have risk factors in your pregnancy, you may have more frequent visits
What Happens At Each OB Visit?
During each visit, you will have your weight, blood pressure, and fetal heartbeat checked. At approximately 20-24 weeks, your provider will begin fundal height evaluation by measuring the uterus. Several additional tests are done at scheduled times throughout your pregnancy. These include:
+ Anemia and gestational diabetes screening – this screening is performed between 26-28 weeks. You will be given a sugar drink and instructions for how/when to drink it. One hour after you finish the sugar drink, your blood will be drawn.
+ Vaginal culture for group B strep – this swab of your vaginal area is performed at your 35-37-week appointment. Group B strep is a normal bacterium that is naturally found in the vagina in 10- 30% of women and is not harmful to women or a developing fetus. However, it can be harmful to your infant if exposed at time of delivery. If you test positive for this bacterium, you will receive antibiotics during labor and delivery.
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