Prenatal Care Specialist

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is the care you receive during your pregnancy. Women who don't visit their doctor regularly during pregnancy are three times more likely to give birth to a baby with a low birth weight. During prenatal care, Dr. Siudmak and his team can closely monitor your health as well as the development of your baby. This will allow him to identify any potential problem in its earliest stages partnering closely with you and any specialists needed to optimize your health and health of your new born.

When should I start prenatal care?

Once you know you’re pregnant, you should make an appointment with Dr. Siudmak's and his team at Total Women’s Healthcare for an initial evaluation. Typically, this visit will include:

• An in-depth review of your health and family history
• A comprehensive physical exam
• Diagnostic blood and urine profiles
• Screen for high risk factors
• Establish gestational age and Calculate your due date

Dr. Siudmak and his team will set aside time during this first visit to answer any questions you may have as well as discuss your role in maintaining good health. He can also make suggestions in the following areas:

• Nutrition
• Supplements
• Exercise
• The meaning of healthy lifestyle during pregnancy
• Reducing the risk of compromising the health of your baby

What is the schedule for prenatal care?

Regular monitoring to track your health and the growth of the baby are the primary goals of prenatal visits. With that in mind, a typical schedule looks like this:

• Once a month from weeks 4-28
• Twice a month from weeks 28-36
• Every week from week 36 to birth

If you fall into a high-risk pregnancy, this schedule will likely be augmented with more visits to manage your risks. Dr. Siudmak and his team specialize in high risk pregnancies and will determine the schedule according to your individual needs.

What does prenatal care monitor?

During your prenatal visits, Dr. Siudmak and his team will evaluate both your health as well as the baby's progress. Each visit will cover a standard check of your health by recording the following:

• Weight
• Fetal heart rate
• Blood Pressure
• Lab tests

From there, each visit may be different in order to mark the development and progress of your baby making sure important goals are met for each trimester. You can expect the following over the course of your prenatal visits:

• Screening for fetal abnormalities
• Immunity check for certain infections: Chickenpox, etc.
• Tracking the growth, movement, and heartbeat of your baby
• Ultrasounds
• Genetic tests if recommended
• Checking the baby’s position

During these visits, Dr. Siudmak and his team will allow you time to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have.