Prenatal Care: The Importance of Regular Checkups with Your Obstetrician

If you have recently discovered that you are pregnant, congratulations! Now comes the important part – making sure you have a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby. The key is to obtain prenatal care. That’s because regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy helps reduce the risks of pregnancy and birth complications.

The first step is to make an appointment with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) as soon as you suspect you are pregnant. If you don’t have an OB/GYN, you should call your health insurance provider to determine which obstetricians are covered by your policy. Or, if you don’t have health insurance, contact your local community health center or county health department to learn about your health care coverage options.

Prenatal Visits: What to Expect

Throughout your pregnancy, you will see your healthcare provider for prenatal care often and regularly. Your first appointment will be scheduled when you are at least eight weeks pregnant. Provided there are no complications involving your pregnancy, your prenatal visits will typically be scheduled as follows:

• Weeks 8 to 28: One prenatal visit per month.
• Weeks 28 to 36: One prenatal visit every two weeks.
• Weeks 36 to 40: One prenatal visit every week.

If you had a preexisting health condition – such as diabetes or high blood pressure – prior to becoming pregnant, or if you are over the age of 35, your doctor will want to see you more often. Also, if problems develop during your pregnancy, more frequent visits will be required.

During your first prenatal visit, your healthcare provider will review your medical history and likely perform a complete physical examination, along with urine and blood tests.

At each prenatal visit thereafter, your doctor will monitor you and your baby, as well as talk with you about ways to keep you and your baby healthy, such as which healthy foods to eat, how to safely stay active, and how to gain the right amount of weight during your pregnancy. Your doctor may also order blood analyses and imaging tests, such as an ultrasound.

According to clinical research, babies of mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and birth complications, which is why seeing your doctor regularly throughout your gestation period helps ensure you have the healthiest pregnancy.

Obstetrician in Wooster, Ohio

At Wooster Community Hospital’s Women’s Pavilion, we have a team of board-certified obstetricians, certified nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives who are highly experienced and well-equipped to provide you with the personalized, expert care you need throughout your pregnancy, delivery, and during your post-partum period.

Our providers and staff are flexible when it comes to the labor and delivery experience, accommodating birth plans and respecting mothers’ wishes as much as possible. We offer a comforting personal touch and the close-to-home ambiance of a smaller hospital.

The Women’s Pavilion is a Level II maternity service, equipped to ensure that you and your family are appropriately cared for should any complications arise before, during, or after delivery. In addition, Wooster Community Hospital collaborates with Akron Children’s Hospital, offering a Special Care Nursery for newborns that require supplementary care.

For more information about our exceptional obstetrical services or to schedule a tour of our facility, contact the Women’s Pavilion at (330) 202-5540. We look forward to hearing from you.