How to Prepare for Your First Pregnancy Ultrasound
Ultrasounds provide a safe and effective way of viewing your growing baby. Read on to learn more about why they are done and what you can expect at the appointment.
Congratulations, you're pregnant! Now what?
Many new parents-to-be can feel overwhelmed by all the choices to be made, from which car seat is safest to what color to paint the nursery. Fortunately, when it comes to prenatal care, the decision is a no-brainer. Start early and go regularly. There is no better way to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
At our office in Demorest, Georgia, we at Habersham OBGYN pride ourselves on our personalized prenatal and obstetrical care to help our patients have the best pregnancy and birth experience possible. Our expert team, including Dr. Thomas Hatchett, midwife Britteny Barron, and others uses state-of-the-art technology and equipment while providing individualized attention, along with childbirth education classes and lactation services.
Prenatal care is a critical component to a healthy pregnancy and baby. In fact, infants born to mothers who did not receive this care were three times more likely to experience a low birth weight and five times more likely to die. With prenatal appointments, some health issues can be found early and addressed while others may be avoided altogether.
Prenatal care encompasses everything from evaluating your and your baby's health to providing important information. A typical appointment includes an exam, weight check, and urine sample to make sure you both are gaining a proper amount of weight, and that no complications have developed. Other appointments at certain times of development can include imaging tests like an ultrasound, and blood tests to ensure everything is on track.
These visits are also an opportunity for education. Discussions include what constitutes a healthy diet, how much exercise is right for you, and the importance of prenatal vitamins. Steps to keep your baby healthy can also be reviewed, like avoiding alcohol and exposure to smoke and other harmful substances. Making sure any ongoing health issues are under control and current medications are safe during pregnancy are also addressed. Birth plans are discussed as well.
Women experiencing a normal pregnancy should expect a prenatal appointment approximately every four to six weeks through week 32, then at two to three week intervals between weeks 32 and 37. Appointments progress to weekly from week 37 until delivery.
Those with a high risk pregnancy, including being over age 35, having gestational diabetes or experiencing another issue, are typically seen weekly or biweekly throughout their pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and looking for personalized care for your prenatal exams and delivery, book online today or call our office at 706-754-3997 to make an appointment.
