Nothing is more important for expectant moms and their developing babies than prenatal care that provides advanced medical care along with all the emotional support and information they need. That’s precisely the type of prenatal care you receive from the compassionate and skilled team at Midwest Women Obstetrician/Gynecologist Ltd in Downers Grove, Illinois. In addition to comprehensive screening and medical care from their board-certified obstetricians, they offer guidance and help for every issue, from common pregnancy discomforts to high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. To schedule your prenatal care, call or book an appointment online today.

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care provides all the support, medical care, and information you need throughout your pregnancy and delivery.

Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd also has experienced triage nurses available to answer questions you may have about pregnancy. You can reach them any time over the phone and through the patient portal.

When do I have prenatal care?

Most women have monthly appointments until they reach week 28 and then visits every two weeks until week 36.

After 36 weeks, you have weekly checkups until you go into labor. However, you may need more frequent prenatal appointments if you have a high-risk pregnancy

What happens during prenatal care? 

During your first prenatal visit, your provider gets in-depth information about your medical background and completes a pelvic exam, Pap smear, and blood typing. They also screen for conditions such as:

• Hepatitis
• Bladder and kidney infections
• Rubella and chickenpox
• Chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and other STDs

At each subsequent prenatal checkup, your provider takes your weight and blood pressure, checks your baby’s growth, and listens for a heartbeat. They also test your urine to check for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and gestational diabetes.

At various times during pregnancy, you receive routine tests to screen for potential problems like anemia or gestational diabetes. During the first trimester, you also have the option to have screenings for Down syndrome, neural tube defects, and other chromosomal problems.

Can I get prenatal care for a high-risk pregnancy?

The team at Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd has extensive experience caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. A high-risk pregnancy occurs when you have any issue that affects the health of you or your baby, including concerns such as:

• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Incompetent cervix
• Twin pregnancy (multiples)
• Risk of premature labor
• Mother aged 35 and older
• Prior cesarean section
• Prior low birth weight baby
• Prior early delivery

You also have a high-risk pregnancy if you have a chronic condition such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Will I have ultrasounds as part of prenatal care?

Most women have an ultrasound around weeks 8-10 to determine their delivery date. Then they have another ultrasound between weeks 20-21 to evaluate their baby’s growth and development. This ultrasound often (but not always) reveals the baby’s gender.

If you need compassionate prenatal care, call Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd or connect online to request an appointment today.