If you think you are pregnant, give us a call to make your first appointment. We usually recommend that you come to see us at around eight weeks following your last menstrual period. An exception would be for serious symptoms noted sooner, such as significant bleeding or pain.

At the first obstetric visit, you will meet with your provider to discuss your pregnancy and an ultrasound will be performed to evaluate the pregnancy and establish a due date. For obstetric care, we have physician providers and certified nurse midwives. Generally all providers care for patients with low risk conditions. For higher risk pregnancies, most women will see or at least consult with physician providers. Some examples are women who are carrying twins, have significant medical conditions during pregnancy such as thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or history of previous cesarean deliveries or uterine surgery. Your provider will review your complete medical history, do an examination if needed, and review ultrasound results with you. Most of our patients have lots of questions, and we schedule time to answer them. You may find some of your questions are answered below in this information.

Usually a complete ultrasound examination lasts about twenty to thirty minutes, with the majority of the visit time scheduled for discussion of concerns, or answering questions. Results from the ultrasound are available at the time of the visit.

We usually perform a first trimester ultrasound around 8 to 12 weeks to establish that the pregnancy is healthy, and determine whether there is one or more than one fetus. An “anatomy” survey is performed at around 20 weeks. This “big” ultrasound visualizes all the internal organs, and inspects the growth of the infant to ensure that normal development is occurring. These are “routine.” However, there are many other reasons your provider may want ultrasounds in addition to these, including concerns about large or small infants, observation of the developing fetus, observation of the placenta or fluid, or other reasons. Your provider will communicate with you about need for any additional ultrasounds. To prepare for your ultrasound you need only to be well hydrated! You should drink one or two 8 ounce glasses of water before you arrive. If you feel you have the need to urinate, but are not uncomfortable, then you are ready!

To standardize and precisely date each pregnancy, we use “weeks” and days pregnant as opposed to “months.” Pregnancy starts with the first day of the last menstrual period, and lasts an average of 40 weeks which is also the “due date.” Of course, most women actually become pregnant about two weeks after the last menstrual period. The system we use is ultrasound and highly sensitive lab tests, where the last period was the most reliable method for “dating the pregnancy”. We recommend a first visit around 8 weeks, and then a visit every 4 weeks until about 28 weeks. Following that, we see pregnant patients every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly thereafter until delivery. If a higher risk pregnancy is noted, additional or more frequent visits may be required. Another term you may hear is “Trimesters” which divide pregnancy into thirds. These are generally 13 weeks long, with the last being 14. For example 0-13 weeks is the first trimester, 14 to 26 weeks is the second trimester, and 27 weeks on is the third trimester. We consider a “term” gestation to be 37 weeks or later, and “full term” to be 39 weeks, with a due date on the 40th week.

For the quickest way to get your test results, please go to our patient portal and OPT IN to review emails about your results. As soon as your results come in, our provider can post them to the patient portal for you to view. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call our office and speak with your medical assistant regarding your results. Unless they are abnormal, you will not receive a phone call.

Treatment of premature labor
Treatment of incompetent cervix
Management of abnormal bleeding
Genetic counseling and testing for genetic diseases
Surveillance for IVF (in-vitro fertilization)
Care for advanced maternal age
Treatment of postpartum depression
Treatment of depression during pregnancy
Infant circumcision
Lactation consultation