OB WELCOME LETTER

Congratulations on your soon to be bundle of joy!!! I am extremely delighted that you have chosen Woman2Woman OBGYN to take care of your precious gift. This is one of the most beautiful experiences of having a baby. Woman2Woman OBGYN will ensure that the arrival of your little miracle will be a rewarding event.

Each pregnancy is different. The majority of our expectant Moms can look forward to having an appointment scheduled about once a month until reaching 28 weeks, followed by visits every 2 weeks until 36 weeks. After 36 weeks, appointments are scheduled biweekly until delivery. In some instances, you may need to be seen more frequently due to a high risk pregnancy. Most visits will consist of answering your questions about your pregnancy and we will be check your blood pressure, urine and fetal heart beat by measuring your uterus.

First Trimester - 0-12 Weeks

On your initial visit expect to spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour in our office. This visit usually happens between 6-8 weeks of gestation. During this visit, I will provide a brief overview of our practice, obtain detailed medical history, assign a due date, prescribe prenatal vitamins, check for STDs, order blood work and conduct a special ultrasound that measures the fetus, which is only a few millimeters.

Second Trimester -13-24 Weeks

During weeks 16-20 you will be offered a Quad screen, a blood test that tests for Down's syndrome, Spina Bifida, Omphalacele and Trisomy 13. Depending on these results you may need a special ultrasound which is performed by a Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor. Mothers who will be 35 at the time of birth will be offered the same ultrasound, as well as amniocentesis. Between 18-20 weeks, low risk patients will be sent for an ultrasound that examines the fetus's anatomy, checks for birth defect's, reconfirms your due date and possibly the sex of your baby.

Third Trimester -25-42 Weeks

At 28 weeks you will have your blood count checked. If it is low you will need to take Iron supplements and Rhogam is given to Rh-negative Moms. In addition, you will receive a 1 hour Glucola test to test for Gestational Diabetes. The 1 hour Glucola test consists of a sweet glucose solution that is consumed 1 hour prior to going to the lab. You will not need fast for this test. Around 36 weeks, a Group B Strep culture will be obtained from your vagina and rectum with a cotton swab (like a Q-tip). This will test for Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a bacterium found in the vagina, bladder or lower intestine in 15% to 35% of all healthy women. If it is positive, you will be given antibiotics during labor to protect your fetus. At 36 weeks, weekly vaginal exams will start to assess your cervical dilation. If you have not delivered after 40 weeks, you will start a Non-Stress Test that assesses the fetal well being.