|

What to Expect
Prenatal visits are scheduled every four weeks in the
first and second trimester. From 28 weeks on it is every other week; and from 35 weeks on it is once a week. At each visit,
maternal health is evaluated including nutritional status, weight gain, and risks of urinary tract infection, diabetes, and
hypertension. Fetal growth and well-being is also followed and prenatal testing and ultrasound are performed as indicated.
Typical events to expect during a normal pregnancy course here at Cassie Health Center for Women include:
First
visit Complete history and evaluation of medical, genetic, and perinatal risks. Complete physical
exam including Pap and GC/CHL cultures. Schedule for ultrasound for accurate dating of pregnancy.
Second
visit Prenatal labs including Blood Type and RH, Antibody Screen, Complete Blood Count, H.I.V., Hepatitis
B, Hepatitis C, RPR, and Rubella. Screening for genetic conditions such as sickle cell and cystic fibrosis will also
be drawn, if indicated and desired.
12 weeks to term Fetal heart tones are detected
at each visit.
16- 19 weeks Triscreen for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18,
Neurotube Defects, and Abdominal Wall Defects, if desired.
18 weeks Amniocentesis,
if indicated and desired.
20 weeks Ultrasound for fetal anatomy. Fetal gender can
be determined at this time.
20 weeks to delivery Abdominal exams are performed for
fetal growth and presentation.
28 weeks Blood Test for Diabetes and Anemia.
Rhogam injection, if indicated. Follow up ultrasound for fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume, if indicated.
28 weeks to delivery Non-Stress Test or Biophysical Profile is performed, if indicated,
to evaluate fetal well-being.
36 weeks Group B strep culture.
37
weeks to delivery Cervical exam, as indicated. Membrane Stripping can also be performed to facilitate
onset of labor. Ultrasound is repeated if fetal growth restriction or excessive weight gain is suspected.
|