Prenatal Care
From your very first child to your fourth, each pregnancy is slightly different and can affect you in various ways. Summit Women’s Health understands that pregnancy is often a challenging time, and we are here to provide support to women in the Princeton, West Virginia area through prenatal care.
What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is the medical care you receive throughout your pregnancy, and it is an absolute must for expecting parents. Our providers at Summit Women’s Health are skilled at helping you stay healthy, reduce stress, and prevent major mishaps.
What happens at a prenatal care appointment?
At each prenatal visit over the course of your pregnancy, your provider checks on you and your growing baby. It’s important to schedule your first prenatal care visit early in your pregnancy, because early and regular care helps support a healthy pregnancy and a full-term baby. Being born full term (born between 39 weeks and 40 weeks, 6 days) gives your baby the right amount of time she or he needs in the womb to grow and develop.
How can I get ready for my first prenatal care check-up?
As you’re scheduling your first prenatal appointment, it’s important to find a provider you feel comfortable with. For you to receive the best care, you’ll need to be able to tell your provider things that may feel awkward or embarrassing. At Summit Women’s Health, we have both female and male providers who care deeply about helping you feel at ease.
To prepare for your first appointment, start gathering some information:
The first day of your last menstrual period (if known)
A list of your medications
Your pregnancy history
A list of your health conditions (for example: depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, or not being at a healthy weight)
Your and your partner’s family health history (if known)
A record of your vaccinations (if available)
The more information you bring to the first check-up, the more complete picture your Summit Women’s Health provider will have. But if you’re not able to find everything, that’s okay, too!
What can I expect during my first prenatal visit at Summit Women’s Health?
Your first prenatal visit consists of gathering information about the mother and father’s medical history. Mothers are asked questions about their menstrual cycle and gynecological history, past pregnancies, personal and family medical history, medication, and lifestyle choices.
Your provider needs to know all about you in order to give you and your baby the best care. Summit Women’s Health providers ask a lot of questions about you, your partner, and your families. Your medical information and anything you tell us are confidential.
Your Summit Women’s Health provider will plot a due date based on the information gathered to efficiently schedule your regular check-ups. A physical exam takes place, which includes height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) tests. This is followed by further examinations for additional conditions, along with vaginal examinations.
Your partner or support person—a friend or someone from your family—is welcome at your prenatal check-ups, if you would like for them to join you.
Why do I need a blood test at my prenatal check-up?
A blood test is conducted to check several key factors. The first and foremost is a blood type test which includes your Rhesus (Rh) factor, an inherited trait that has to do with protein on the surface of your red blood cells. If the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive, certain steps must be taken to promote a healthy pregnancy.
Another factor Summit Women’s Health looks at is hemoglobin count. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein responsible for allowing cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. A low hemoglobin count would indicate a lack of proper oxygen circulation.
We also do some standard checks of infection and immunity that help make sure no complications arise.
How often should I visit Summit Women’s Health during pregnancy?
Prenatal visits are usually set every 4 weeks during the first trimester. To ensure the safety of the mother and child, visits will become shorter as your check-ups become more frequent. Here’s one example of what to expect, but keep in mind that if the frequency may differ based on your unique pregnancy and health conditions:
Weeks 4 to 28: 1 check-up every 4 weeks (once a month).
Weeks 28 to 36. 1 check-up every 2 weeks (twice a month).
Weeks 36 to 41: 1 check-up every week, until the baby is born.
Whether you’re at the very beginning of your pregnancy, or you’re looking to change providers at any stage of your pregnancy, Summit Women’s Health is here for you and your baby. To book an appointment at Summit Women’s Health in Princeton, West Virginia, with Brandon M. Lingenfelter, DO, PhD; Megan Lingenfelter, PA; Sam Snyder, DO; or Valeah Bradshaw, NP, call us at (681) 282-5591 or book an appointment online.