A Schedule for Prenatal Care
During your pregnancy, you will have many visits with the physicians and nurse practitioners. We feel it is beneficial to see each of the physicians at least once, however, you may choose to see one more often.
The following schedule is for an uncomplicated pregnancy. Individual changes will be made if necessary.
Pregnancy Education Class
This class has been created to educate our patients about their pregnancy and to promote the importance of early prenatal care. Information about our practice, diet, nutrition, exercise, and prenatal vitamins will be included. Common physical and emotional adjustments associated with pregnancy will be discussed. In addition, routine prenatal lab tests, Including blood type, RH factor, rubella, titer, serology, hepatitis screen, and HIV, will be drawn and a prenatal history will be taken.
Week 10-12
M.D. Visit. At this time the physician will do a physical exam, including Pap smear and vaginal and urine cultures, an assessment of uterine size and pelvic bone structure, and an evaluation of fetal heart tone by Doptone. Expected due date will be set. Maternal assessment of weight, blood pressure, blood and urine status will be done at each visit. Glucose testing will be arranged for patients with an increased risk of gestational diabetes.
Week 15-16
Fetal size and growth, maternal assessment, including weight, blood pressure, blood, urine, and health status will be evaluated. Maternal Serum Screen will be drawn, if you desire. If you are RH negative, you may choose to obtain the father's blood type. Ultrasound appointments should be scheduled for the next visit - generally done at 18-20 weeks.
Week 20
Fetal size and growth, assessment of fetal movement, and gestational age will be evaluated. Maternal assessment will be done. Ultrasound study of baby will be done if previously scheduled. Gestational diabetic screening will be discussed.
Week 24
Nutritional assessment and prenatal classes will be discussed. Maternal and fetal evaluation will be performed. A non-fasting one hour glucose screen to rule out gestational diabetes will be done.
Week 28
This visit should be with a nurse practitioner. Maternal and fetal evaluation will be performed, pre-term risk assessment will be updated, and pelvic exam for assessment of possible premature cervical dilation will be done if indicated by history. RH titer will be repeated for RH-negative patients, and RhoGam will be administered when indicated. Instructions regarding the monitoring of fetal activity will also be discussed.
Week 30-32
Labor and delivery procedures and alternatives will be discussed. Review of choices for baby's doctor, hospital, breast or bottle-feeding. Maternal and fetal evaluation will be performed.
Week 36
Further discussion of labor and delivery and any questions raised at previous visits will be addressed. Final decision should be made for hospital and baby's doctor. Fetal size, weight, and cervical check for dilatation and effacement will be done. You will be given information regarding pre-registration, fetal monitoring, and signs of onset of labor.
Week 37-40
Fetal, maternal, and cervical assessment.
Week 41-42
Fetal testing regarding post-maturity and/or induction of labor will be discussed.
NOTE: All weeks are counted from the first day of last menstrual period (menstrual rather than conceptual weeks).
** This schedule has been developed by the physicians and nurse practitioners of Ob/Gyn Specialists, P.A., and is intended for use by our patients.
