Prenatal care is the aspect of care given to you and your developing baby prior to birth. Prenatal care helps ensure that the pregnancy is healthy and that your baby is developing in the proper fashion. Here at West Side Pediatrics in Cincinnati, OH, we are committed to delivering exceptional prenatal care and ensuring the healthy birth of your baby.
What Prenatal Care Can Do For You
If you are thinking of having a baby, a counseling appointment before you conceive can help you and your obstetrician be prepared. During this appointment, your personal medical history and your family’s history can be reviewed so that any potential issues can be addressed before you become pregnant.
If you think that you might already be pregnant, you should take an over-the-counter home pregnancy test. If you have a positive test, you should start taking a prenatal vitamin and schedule your first appointment with the obstetrician for prenatal care. This is especially important if you are 35 years old or older, because you may need extra care.
Your first trimester of pregnancy is a busy time, and it’s vitally important to visit our Cincinnati office to begin a prenatal care program. Your obstetrician will do lab work and testing to make sure you are in good health. They will also do an ultrasound to confirm you are pregnant, and how far along you are. They may give you an initial due date, as well.
In your second trimester, it’s time for your second ultrasound, which you will have at around 20 weeks. Your baby’s growth and development will be checked, and gender will be determined. Your obstetrician will screen you for gestational diabetes when you are 24 to 28 weeks pregnant.
Your third trimester is the time to get ready for the birth of your baby. You will see the doctor more frequently, and your cervix will be checked as you get closer to giving birth. This is an important time to discuss your hospital stay, anesthesia, delivery, and any other concerns you have.
During your third and last trimester, you will visit your doctors at Potomac Obstetrics & Gynecology frequently. They will do a strep culture, and check your cervix as you get closer to your due date. You can discuss your delivery, anesthesia, and any other issues that concern you.
Contact Us
Prenatal care helps you and your baby look forward to great health during your pregnancy. To learn more about prenatal care and other pediatric topics, call the doctors at West Side Pediatrics in Cincinnati, OH, today by dialing (513) 922-8200.