The Many Benefits of Good Prenatal Care

Expecting a baby? Congratulations! Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can be stressful, too. From family and friends quick with pregnancy advice to decorating the nursery, being pregnant can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s why it’s such good news that you don’t have to do it alone. Pregnancy is the perfect time to spend a little more time taking care of yourself — and your growing baby. 

Our OB/GYN team at The Women’s Center is proud to provide top-quality prenatal care for expecting mothers. Our comprehensive pregnancy services are designed to ensure you and your baby have the best possible health from the first trimester to delivery day.

No matter if this is your first pregnancy or you’re already an experienced mom, prenatal care is essential. Why? Because good prenatal care …

Optimizes your health during pregnancy

Schedule your first prenatal appointment 8-10 weeks into your pregnancy. Expect your first appointment to take an hour or longer, because our team thoroughly reviews your medical history, conducts a comprehensive physical exam, and performs blood testing.

Your doctor reviews factors like your age and any chronic health issues, like high blood pressure or diabetes, to determine if your pregnancy is high-risk. If your pregnancy is identified as high-risk, you might need more frequent prenatal appointments to ensure you and your baby stay as healthy as possible.

At every prenatal appointment, your doctor checks your weight, blood pressure, and belly circumference. Depending on the results of your tests, our team can adjust your care to manage any conditions that arise, such as gestational diabetes.

Monitors your baby’s development

We monitor your baby’s growth and development from your very first prenatal appointment through delivery. Our team evaluates your baby’s heart rate beginning at about 8-12 weeks, and at every subsequent prenatal visit.

Optional genetic testing during pregnancy includes amniocentesis, neural tube defect, and nuchal fold testing. If you’re interested in genetic testing, talk to your doctor about your options.

Your doctor uses a Doppler to hear the baby’s heartbeat, and you’ll be able to see your baby’s development with ultrasound imaging throughout your pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll experience noticeable changes in the way your body looks and feels, and you’ll start noticing your baby’s movements.

Our team is here to help you, so come to your appointments with any questions you have about your health or your baby’s.

Prepares you for labor and delivery

As your pregnancy progresses, your prenatal appointments continue. At each visit, we evaluate your baby’s position to determine when you might go into labor.

Our team is here to help you learn what to expect during labor and delivery. Your prenatal appointments are a great time to ask any questions you might have about your birth plan and preferences during labor and delivery.

Expect your prenatal appointments to be scheduled every 2-3 weeks during your 27th-37th weeks of pregnancy. Starting around week 37, you may have appointments every week until it’s time for your baby to be born.

Good prenatal care can ensure you the healthiest possible pregnancy and give your baby a healthy start to life. If you’re pregnant or thinking about trying for a baby, schedule a pregnancy appointment at The Women’s Center. 

Call the Orlando, Florida-area office nearest you, use the online booking tool, or send our team a message to get started.