All of our obstetrical patients begin their obstetrical care with a personal session with one of our experienced obstetrical registered nurses.  At this visit, a detailed history will be taken to identify any risk factors in your pregnancy.  You will also discuss general advice for your pregnancy, as well as addressing your personal concerns and questions.  When you have questions during your pregnancy, the OB nurses will usually be your first contact.  Many of our patients develop warm personal relationships with them during their pregnancy. view video

Preconception Counseling

The decision to begin a family is not only exciting but may also be anxiety provoking for any couple.  It is important to consider preconception factors that will increase the chance of a healthy mother and newborn baby.  These include:

• Good nutrition, including vitamin and folic acid supplementation
• Appropriate exercise program
• Discussion of family history and possible preconception genetic screening such as cystic fibrosis testing
• Changes in lifestyle habits such as smoking cessation
• Management of pre-existing diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and seizure disorders.

Beginning before conception to minimize potential adverse factors and implement supportive care is important in achieving a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Early Pregnancy Diagnosis

Pregnancy is a life altering event.  It is important to diagnose a pregnancy early, either with a urine pregnancy test (UCG) or blood pregnancy test (HCG), so that prenatal care can begin.  Early doctor visits are important to obtain patient medical history, perform a physical exam and to obtain appropriate laboratory tests.  These visits with an obstetrician in early pregnancy are important for good pregnancy care and, hopefully, excellent infant outcome.

Prenatal Education

All of our obstetrical patients begin their obstetrical care with a personal session with one of our experienced obstetrical registered nurses.  At this visit, a detailed history will be taken to identify any risk factors in your pregnancy.  You will also discuss general advice for your pregnancy, as well as addressing your personal concerns and questions.  When you have questions during your pregnancy, the OB nurses will usually be your first contact.  Many of our patients develop warm personal relationships with them during their pregnancy.

Prenatal Testing and Genetic Counseling

Our patients are routinely offered the AFP Tetra test in the second trimester, which is performed on a sample of maternal blood.  This test gives risk estimates for Down Syndrome and spina bifida. In addition, we offer First Trimester Screening as recommended by ACOG.  This first step in this testing is to obtain an ultrasound between 10-13 weeks measuring the nasal bone of the baby along with submission of lab work.  The second step, if indicated, is the AFP Tetra.  This and other tests for prenatal diagnosis are totally at the patient’s discretion.  Depending on the specific circumstances of each patient, other tests, such as those for cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, may be offered.  Our doctors will be happy to discuss these tests and to help you understand the results if they are performed.

Ultrasound

Our obstetrical and gynecologic ultrasounds are performed by certified sonographers with many years of experience in both routine studies and the diagnosis of fetal anomalies and other complicated pregnancy problems.  All ultrasound studies are interpreted by a board-certified perinatologist (specialist in complicated pregnancies) with over 20 years of experience in ultrasound and prenatal diagnosis.  We have state of the art GE Voluson ultrasound units that provide our physicians high resolution images allowing them to diagnose and treat with confidence.

High Risk

Our obstetricians are experienced and expert in the care of complicated pregnancies.  These include pregnancies involving serious medical problems of the mother, such as diabetes and chronic hypertension, as well as obstetrical problems such as preterm delivery and multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets and more)  Care of these patients is directed by a board certified perinatologist, but all of our obstetricians are experienced and comfortable in the care of these patients. 

Amniocentesis

When the mother’s age, history or results of blood testing or ultrasound indicate an increased chance of genetic abnormalities or other pregnancy problem, an amniocentesis may be offered in order to make a more accurate diagnosis.  This is an office procedure involving placing a needle under continuous ultrasound guidance into the fluid surrounding the baby and withdrawing a small amount of fluid for testing.  In our practice, this procedure is done by a board certified perinatologist who has performed over 2000 of the procedures with a very low complication rate.