Prenatal Visits in Birmingham, AL

Birmingham OB/GYN Will Be Partners With You Throughout Your Pregnancy

The board-certified obstetricians at Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology are dedicated to partnering with parents to be there every step of the way during their pregnancy process. This can include help with fertility struggles, high-risk pregnancy care, or education on breastfeeding and other common needs of a newborn.

Regular prenatal visits with an obstetrician are important to monitor the health of both mother and baby. The frequency of prenatal visits depends on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy, and any known health concerns that may require additional checkups with your Obstetrician.

Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology is delighted to be a part of this very special time in your life. The highest level of prenatal care will be provided at all stages of pregnancy including before and during pregnancy, at childbirth and postpartum. Learn more about the obstetrics and prenatal care services we provide at our office in Birmingham, AL. Call (205) 933-8334 to schedule your prenatal appointment today or book an appointment online.

When To Begin Prenatal Visits with Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology

A patient’s first prenatal visit should be scheduled as soon as she thinks she may be pregnant. As the pregnancy progresses, prenatal appointments will occur more regularly and may include testing to check the health of the baby or address any significant symptoms the mother may experience.

A typical schedule for prenatal checkups is:

• Between Weeks 4-28 patients will have an appointment once a month.
• Between Weeks 28-36 patients will start having appointments twice a month.
• After week 36 patients will have weekly appointments.

If a pregnancy is regarded as being high-risk, which is often based on various factors like the patient’s age, weight, and known health conditions, your obstetrician may recommend more frequent prenatal visits to closely monitor the pregnancy. This ensures that any potential complications are detected as soon as possible, and therefore may be appropriately treated much more quickly.

What to Expect During Your Prenatal Visit

A prenatal checkup at Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology typically includes several standard processes and tests to obtain insights about the mother’s health and that of the developing fetus. During this time, your obstetrician may:

• Get a urine sample
• Review medical history
• Check blood pressure, weight, and height
• Check stress level and lifestyle habits
• Perform blood tests
• Check the fetal heart rate
• Feel and measure the patient’s abdomen
• Take a fetal ultrasound
• Answer any questions or concerns the patient has
• Other tests may be done to test to detect signs of possible health problems including infection, birth defects, gestational diabetes, or fetal distress.