Obstetrics

When should I see an obstetrician?

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you’ll want to begin seeing one of the board-certified obstetricians at Westmoreland Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates for obstetric care. This will include prenatal care for you and your growing baby, along with delivery and postpartum planning.

Depending on your health and other factors, your visits will occur on this schedule:

• Weeks 4-28: around once a month
• Weeks 28-36: twice a month
• Week 36 to delivery: every week

You’ll need to come in more often if your pregnancy is considered high risk. You may be a high risk if you are:

• Age 35 or older
• Pregnant with twins or multiples
• Underweight or overweight
• Have diabetes, high blood pressure,preterm labor, or another health problem

If you’ve gone into premature labor before, had a child with a birth defect, or had problems in a past pregnancy, your pregnancy also may be considered high risk.

What happens during prenatal care?

During your first prenatal visit, your obstetrician may perform a complete physical exam or ultrasound and recommend a series of diagnostic and screening tests.

The practice offers on-site ultrasounds and genetic testing for your convenience, along with cord blood banking after your baby is born. As your pregnancy progresses, your obstetrician may recommend other tests to check for possible risks and complications.

What tests should I expect during my pregnancy?

Screening tests help to identify pregnancy-related complications, such as gestational diabetes.  Some tests are performed early in pregnancy, while others are performed later or repeated. Your obstetrician will tell you if and when you need the following tests:

• Complete blood count
• Blood type
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture
• Rubella
• Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Human immunodeficiency virus
• Rh antibody test
• Group B streptococci

You’ll typically undergo a glucose screening test, which measures the amount of glucose in your blood. This test assesses your risk for gestational diabetes. Your obstetrician also may recommend a flu shot and Tdap vaccination.

What should I expect later in my pregnancy?

As your due date draws near, you’ll want to discuss your delivery plan with your obstetrician. If you’ve had a baby by C-section, you can talk about whether you’d like a repeat C-section or a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

If you’re pregnant and need obstetric care, the board-certified experts at Westmoreland Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates specialize in low- and high-risk pregnancy. Call or schedule a consultation online today.