Pregnancy Signs

If you suspect, or know, that you are pregnant, we hope you have already visited your doctor!

Presuming that you have confirmed your suspicions and that this is your first child, or that you wish to take better care of yourself during pregnancy than you did during your other pregnancies; you have come to the right place!

Our goal is to give you all the information you will need to care for your health and the health of your unborn child during your pregnancy.

To do that, we believe it is important for you to understand pregnancy, and what is happening to your body as your baby develops and nears term.

Therefore, all the information we give you about taking care of yourself will be clarified with information about what is happening to your body and why it is important to follow the recommendations we give you and the recommendations and advice of your doctor.

First, and foremost, it is important to consult a doctor and to get on a schedule of visits and testing to accommodate every stage of your pregnancy.

If you are healthy and expect a normal pregnancy, you have some options for health care during your pregnancy:

• Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) - these doctors have a specialty in pregnancy and women's health.
  
  
• Family General Practitioner or Internist - doctors who provide standard medical care to all men and women and in some cases will provide obstetrical care.
  
  Although, malpractice insurance for this type of medical care has sharply increased, so in many cases, general practitioners (GPs) and internists no longer delivery babies, or treat women during the pregnancy term.
  
  So, many of these doctors will no longer care for a pregnant woman, but instead will refer you to an OB/GYN.
  
  
• Nurse/Midwives - these health care professionals specialize in women's health and follow a pregnant mother through prenatal care, and labor and delivery.
  
  Nurse/Midwives need a doctor 'on call' for the delivery in case there is a problem during delivery.
  
  They also provide post partum care for normal pregnancies, referring women to an OB/GYN for complications or specific health related issues. Be sure your midwife is certified, and fully trained!

When you visit your doctor for the first time, he/she will perform blood tests and a pelvic exam to confirm your pregnancy, and estimate a due date.

We'll talk a little about due dates later when we discuss the first trimester.

The blood test detects HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG is a hormone produced by a woman's body after an egg has been fertilized and a woman's pregnancy commences.

HCG can be detected in blood or urine even before a missed period, as early as six to eight days after conception.

HCG levels will significantly increase during the first trimester and then decrease a bit throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.

Abnormal HCG levels can indicate a possible miscarriage or a tubal pregnancy, or it may mean the mother can expect a multiple birth (twins, triplets, etc).

Your doctor will talk to you about any abnormality in your HCG levels and monitor these levels throughout your pregnancy.

Assuming your HCG levels are consistent with a normal pregnancy, this test will not be performed again.

Doctor visits and examinations should also into consideration your family history, and any pre-existing health problems you may have.

You should also tell your doctor about any special circumstances you may need to accommodate because of your job or your family situation.

During your pregnancy, your doctor may or will perform certain tests, depending on your individual situation. We have included a list of these tests here.

You will find a routine doctor's visit schedule included in the list below.

Remember that your individual situation may vary, but this list will give you an idea of when and how often you will need to see your doctor and what tests may be performed while you are there.

First exam and HCG test - 6 to 8 weeks into your term
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - 10 to 12 weeks into your term
Second doctor's visit - 10 to 12 weeks into your term
Amniocentesis - 15 to 18 weeks into your term
Third doctor's visit - 14 to 16 weeks into your term
Multiple marker screening - 15 to 20 weeks into your term
Fourth doctor's visit - 18 to 20 weeks in your term
Ultrasound - 16 to 20 weeks into your term
Fifth doctor's visit - 22 to 24 weeks into your term
Glucose screening test (GCT) - 24 to 28 weeks into your term
Sixth doctor's visit - 26 to 28 weeks into your term
Doctor's visit - Every two weeks from 28th to 36th week
Group B strep screening - 35 to 37 weeks into your term
Doctor's visit - Once a week 37th week through delivery

When you go to the doctor, she will check your weight, your blood pressure and your abdomen, check your baby's heart beat, and usually do a pelvic exam.

Some women are uncomfortable with these types of intimate exams and they do take some getting used to, if you are not accustomed to annual OB/GYN exams and pap smears.

But, these exams ARE very important to your health and to the health of your baby.

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