Prenatal Care in Phoenix, Arizona
Pregnancy is a journey that you can share with your women’s health practitioner. Before getting pregnant, your provider can offer a pre-conception visit, which includes evaluations and counseling.
They can recommend supplements that’ll promote a healthy pregnancy and discuss what you can expect during the process of conceiving. They can also get your health history and perform a variety of fertility assessments to help you learn more about your options.
Prenatal Care During Your Pregnancy
During your pregnancy, it’s important to stay in regular contact with your provider. They can deliver routine prenatal care that ensures you and your baby are as healthy as possible. You’ll have roughly 12 to 15 visits with your provider from pre-conception through delivery. These visits provide an opportunity to voice questions and concerns, as well as receive routine screenings and counseling.
Ultrasounds
Ultrasounds are performed to confirm the health of your pregnancy in the first trimester of pregnancy (weeks one to twelve). At 18 to 20 weeks, another ultrasound is performed to evaluate your pregnancy more thoroughly. This ultrasound will confirm your due date, locate the placenta, determine the sex, measure the fluid in the uterus, and survey the health of the baby. Additional ultrasounds are performed in the last 20 weeks of pregnancy if it is deemed medically necessary. For example, women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or multiples will have more ultrasounds during their pregnancy.
Labor and Delivery
At Women’s Health Arizona, our branches have their own approaches to labor and delivery. Throughout your pregnancy, you may choose to see one provider or multiple providers at a single branch. Some branches use the traditional model of ObGyn care, where either your provider or a provider in the branch will deliver your baby. While other branches employ an obstetric and gynecologic hospitalist, also referred to as a laborist. Be sure to ask your Women’s Health Arizona provider how they handle labor and delivery.
Continued Care After Birth
After pregnancy, your provider will continue to provide ongoing care to ensure that you’re comfortably recovering from childbirth. Many Women’s Health Arizona locations have a lactation counselor or consultant on staff to help you achieve your breastfeeding goals as well.
When Should a Pregnant Woman Start Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. It is recommended that a pregnant woman to start prenatal care as soon as they find out they’re pregnant, ideally in the first trimester. Through early and regular checkups, prenatal care can help identify and manage any potential health issues for both the mother and baby. It also promotes a healthy pregnancy and delivery. If you suspect that you might be pregnant, or have confirmed your pregnancy, it’s important to schedule your first prenatal visit with a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Speak to Your Provider About Pregnancy Care Services
If you’re currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant, your Women’s Health Arizona provider is here to help you through your pregnancy journey. Speak to your provider today to schedule your next prenatal visit.
