Why is prenatal care needed?
You need prenatal care throughout your pregnancy to monitor you and your baby’s health. Regular visits to Dr. Kobren help him track your progress and identify potential problems early so he can fix it or create a plan to reduce the risk for you and your baby.
During the first seven months of your pregnancy, you’ll visit Dr. Kobren once a month. During months seven and eight, you’ll go in every two weeks. Then, during the last month, the visits are weekly.
What happens during the prenatal visits?
The first visit with Dr. Kobren may be the longest. During this visit, he’ll ask about your health history, family health history, and then do a physical and pelvic exam. He’ll also do a urine test to confirm your pregnancy, listen to the baby’s heartbeat, and calculate your due date.
Dr. Kobren will also recommend a multivitamin and provide information about your diet and activity needs, as well as provide information about what to do at home for a healthy pregnancy. The first visit is also a good time for you to ask your questions.
After the first visit, things become more routine, and he’ll monitor your weight, blood pressure, measure your abdomen, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat at each visit.
He’ll also conduct additional testing as needed throughout your pregnancy. That includes the glucose test, genetic testing, blood work for anemia, and HIV testing.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is one in which the health of the mother or baby may be in jeopardy. This type of pregnancy requires specialized care. Dr. Kobren has years of experience and specializes in high-risk pregnancies.
Several factors might indicate your pregnancy is high-risk, including:
- Maternal age: teens and women over age 35
- Overweight or obesity
- Chronic health conditions: HIV, diabetes, or preeclampsia
- Repeated miscarriage
- Placental problems
- Pregnant with twins or a higher order of multiples
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, Dr. Kobren may schedule more frequent visits to help minimize complications. You may also need to do additional tests.
Whether a normal pregnancy or high-risk, you’re in good hands with Dr. Kobren.
