Why are prenatal care and delivery support so important?
Prenatal care is the medical support you receive during the nine months of your pregnancy. This care doesn’t end when you go into labor. The team at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology
Associates support you during delivery and follow your birth plan to create a birthing experience that meets your vision.
If you encounter problems during delivery, the experienced team is ready to intervene as needed to ensure a healthy outcome for mom and baby.
Why is prenatal care important?
Regular prenatal visits at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates give your baby a healthy start. During these visits, the team monitors your health and the health of your baby, identifying issues before they become serious problems for you or your unborn child.
Every pregnancy is different, so it’s important to seek prenatal care, whether this is your first or fifth pregnancy.
When do I schedule prenatal visits?
You should schedule your first prenatal visit as soon as you think you are pregnant. The earlier you start prenatal care, the better. Plan on coming in at about eight weeks, or four weeks after a missed period.
As your pregnancy progresses, prenatal checkups happen more frequently and include various screenings.
A typical schedule for prenatal checkups is:
- Once per month during weeks 4-28
- Twice per month for weeks 28-36
- Once per week after week 36
If your pregnancy is deemed high-risk, you may need more frequent visits so the team at Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates can more closely monitor your pregnancy.
What happens during prenatal care and delivery support?
During your first prenatal visit, your dedicated doctor checks your vitals, estimates your due date, performs a physical exam (including a pelvic exam), checks the baby's heart rate, and runs specific screenings or blood tests appropriate early in your pregnancy.
Future prenatal visits involve measuring your abdomen, ultrasounds, and other screening tests. Routine prenatal tests include:
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening
- Glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes
- Urinalysis for preeclampsia
- Genetic testing
- Group B strep culture
- Fetal monitoring
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus sampling
These tests occur at different stages of your pregnancy.
When it gets closer to delivery, your doctor discusses all of the options with you and helps you craft a birthing plan based on your health, the baby’s health, and any past deliveries or surgeries.
If you’re pregnant, call Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates to set up your prenatal care and delivery plan. You can also use the online tool to make an appointment.
