Obstetrics

During your confirmation of pregnancy visit, usually between 6 and 10 weeks, your medical and pregnancy history will be taken and recommendations regarding obstetrical care will be addressed specific to your needs. This is a time when medication changes may be addressed due to safety concerns with regard to pregnancy and other medical topics addressed. An ultrasound is also performed to establish the due date of your baby. Depending on the situation, we may also offer laboratory studies. Prenatal vitamins are initiated and other supplements to optimize the obstetrical care of the patient are discussed. This is the opportunity for you to meet your physician and discuss the course of your prenatal care. We encourage patients to bring their preliminary questions to this visit so we may begin our partnership in providing you and your baby the best care possible.

It is our desire to have the initial obstetrical appointment, after confirmation of pregnancy, with you on or after 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. During this visit, a physical exam is performed and a prenatal lab panel and other necessary labs will be completed. This is a time that a nuchal translucency ultrasound is offered for early detection of chromosomal abnormalities or cardiac defects. We will also offer the NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) as a prenatal screening looking at the baby's chromosomes from a maternal blood sample. Gender is often identified through this test.

Your pregnancy is a collaborative effort! We welcome any input you have so your personal needs are met. At Comprehensive OB/GYN your questions and needs are very important to us so never hesitate to present them to us at your prenatal visits.

What makes us unique about caring for your unborn child?

1. We offer early detection screening for chromosomal abnormalities via nuchal translucency (NT) screening and NIPT (Non Invasive Prenatal Testing).

During the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, we will be seeing you at 4 week intervals. You can expect lab work between 12 and 28 weeks. We believe in early detection and have carefully selected lab work to help us to make better decisions for your care – for example we will screen for gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced anemia. At 16 weeks, we may draw your alpha fetal protein for detection of Spina Bifida. If the first trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities was not completed, then the option for multiple marker screen tests for other chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome, Spina Bifida, fetal abdominal wall defects, will be conducted.

At 20-22 weeks, a detailed detal anatomical survey ultrasound wil be performed to assure normal growth of your baby and with this ultrasound we can predict the sex of your baby 97% of the time. You can expect a 10 pound weight gain during the first 20 weeks, after which you ma gain a pound per week for the last 20 weeks of your pregnancy.

What should you be prepared to discuss with your doctor at this visit?

1. Selection of your pediatrician
2. Registration for prenatal classes
3. Registration for breastfeeding classes
4. Discussing whether or not to circumcise your child
5. Discussing Cord Blood Banking
6. Finalizing preparation for delivery of your child
   1. Selection of the hospital you will deliver at
   2. Do you have a car seat?
   3. Is the home ready for your newborn?
   4. Do you have the contact numbers to add your newborn onto your health insurance policy?

During this period, we will begin to discuss your birthing plans. Any pain relieving modalities you desire will be accommodated when you are in labor. These include Lamaze breathing, intravenous pain management options and/or epidural anesthesia. From 28 - 36 weeks, we will see you every 2 weeks and from 36 weeks until delivery, we will see you weekly. If you need ultrasound or fetal monitoring, we can accommodate these needs at our office or selected facility. A vaginal birth is always our goal unless your situation demands a cesarean delivery be performed.

Never hesitate to consult the doctors or nurses at Comprehensive OB/GYN about your medication questions. The following medications are usually safe while you are pregnant:

• Tylenol for headaches or mild pain
• Claritin in AM or Benadryl in PM for congestion
• Maalox, Tums or Pepcid AC for reflux or heartburn
• Colace or Milk of Magnesia for constipation
• Imodium or Pepto Bismol for diarrhea
• Chloroseptic or Sucrets for a sore throat

Do not use Ibuprofen products or any prescription medications without consulting the staff at Comprehensive OB/GYN.