• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Sandwich  |  Yorkville  |  Plainfield  |  Aurora
  • (815) 786-1088
  • Request an Appointment
Aishling Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Home
  • Meet Our Providers
  • Services
    • Gynecology
    • Obstetrics
    • Minimally Invasive Surgery
    • Cosmetic Services
  • FAQs
  • Reviews
  • Patient Education
  • Contact & Locations

Are You Pregnant? A Guide to Prenatal Care

December 17, 2021

A woman receiving prenatal care from her OB/GYN.

Prenatal care, by definition, is the medical care a woman receives during her pregnancy. To us here at Aishling Obstetrics & Gynecology, however, prenatal care is more than merely delivering standard medical care. We take it as an opportunity to partake in our patients’ joyful anticipation and to live up to our commitment to delivering unsurpassed quality prenatal care and obstetric services.

Just as we have helped countless expectant mothers in Plainfield, Sandwich, Yorkville, and Aurora and all of their neighboring areas have a healthy pregnancy and successful delivery, we will guide you every step of the way and provide you with all the support you need on this amazing journey. We delight in answering all of your questions and equipping you with the right information to help you navigate your pregnancy.

With that in mind, here is a quick guide that we have prepared to help set your expectations about your prenatal care.

Prenatal Appointment Schedule

Prenatal appointment schedules can vary from provider to provider. Here at Aishling Obstetrics and Gynecology, we highly encourage expectant mothers to see one of our board-certified OB/GYNs for prenatal care based on the following schedule:

  • Every month from week four through week 28
  • Every two weeks from week 28 through week 36
  • Weekly from week 36 through birth

What to Expect at Your Prenatal Care Appointments

Your first prenatal checkup is usually the longest because your OB/GYN will ask you a lot of questions about your health. Your OB/GYN will also perform a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and check your cervix, uterus, and placenta. After that, they will perform a physical exam, check your vital signs, do a pelvic exam (and a Pap Smear), discuss your vaccinations, order blood work and other lab tests, and talk about all other things relevant to your overall health and pregnancy. At this time, your OB/GYN will likely start prescribing vitamins and supplements.

At each of your visits thereafter, your OB/GYN will check your weight and vital signs as well as monitor your baby’s growth and development. Your OB/GYN will also order another set of blood work and urinalysis to test for gestational diabetes, anemia, and other health problems.

At around weeks 18 to 22, you can see us for an abdominal ultrasound to determine the sex of your baby. Within the same appointment, your OB/GYN will start measuring your fundal height—the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. This helps your OB/GYN estimate your baby’s size and evaluate their growth rate and position.

After week 20, your OB/GYN will continue to check your urine, for signs of infection and your protein level. Elevated levels of protein in your urine (proteinuria) are a hallmark of preeclampsia, which is a life-threatening pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure. We will make the necessary lifestyle and dietary recommendations to reduce your risk of preeclampsia and other complications.

After week 32, you will likely be required to take a biophysical profile (BPP) test, which combines fetal ultrasound and heart rate monitoring (nonstress test) to assess your amniotic fluid level as well as your baby’s breathing, heart rate, movements, and muscle tone.

Symptoms That Warrant a Call or Visit to Our Clinic

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms during your pregnancy, please call or see us right away:

  • Bleeding
  • Fever
  • Significant decrease in fetal movements especially during the third trimester (after monitoring your baby’s movements for a number of hours)
  • Sudden swelling of your hands and feet
  • Severe abdominal cramps and/or diarrhea
  • Gush of fluid

For first-rate prenatal care services in Plainfield, Sandwich, Yorkville, or Aurora, visit us at Aishling Obstetrics & Gynecology. Give us a call at (815) 786-1088 to schedule a prenatal appointment with one of our OB/GYNs. We look forward to serving you!

Filed Under: Prenatal Care Tagged With: gynecological care in Chicago IL, gynecological care near me, Gynecologist Aurora IL, Gynecologist Plainfield IL, Gynecologist Sandwich IL, Prenatal Care in Aurora IL, Prenatal Care in Plainfield IL, Prenatal Care in Sandwich IL, Prenatal Care in Yorkville IL, Prenatal Care near me

Primary Sidebar

December 2021
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Nov   Jan »

Categories

  • Essure Coil
  • General
  • Gynecology
  • High-Risk Pregnancy
  • IUD
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pap smear
  • Prenatal Care
  • Prenatal Care Doctor
  • Robotic Hysterectomy
  • Womens Health center

Tags

Aishling Obstetrics & Gynecology best OB/GYN near me best obgyn doctor near me best obgyn near me Essure Coil Removal in Illinois Essure Coil Removal Near Me gynecological care in Chicago IL gynecological care near me Gynecologist Aurora IL Gynecologist near me Gynecologist Plainfield IL Gynecologist Sandwich IL Gynecologist Yorkville IL High-Risk Pregnancies Care near Me High-Risk Pregnancies near Me High-Risk Pregnancy treatment in Chicago IL High-Risk Pregnancy treatment near me IUD doctor near me IUD Insertion IUD near me IUD side effects obgyn doctor near me obgyn doctor Sandwich IL OBGYN in Chicago IL ObGyn near me obgyn Sandwich IL obstetrical care in Chicago IL obstetrical care near me obstetric care near me Obstetrics and Gynecology Prenatal Care Doctor in Aurora IL Prenatal Care Doctor in Greater Chicago Prenatal Care Doctor in Plainfield Prenatal Care Doctor in Sandwich Prenatal Care Doctor in Yorkville Prenatal Care Doctor near me Prenatal Care in Aurora IL Prenatal Care in Plainfield IL Prenatal Care in Yorkville IL Prenatal Care near me robotic hysterectomy robotic hysterectomy Aurora IL robotic hysterectomy near me robotic hysterectomy Yorkville IL Women's Health Care Near Me

Footer

Patient Education

Broaden your knowledge of the many conditions treated at our practice with our A-Z patient education library.

LEARN MORE

Our Blog

Keep up with the latest advances in obstetrics and gynecology, plus news about our practice with our exclusive blog.

LEARN MORE

  • Home
  • Meet Our Providers
  • Services
  • FAQs
  • Reviews
  • Patient Education
  • Contact & Locations
  • Blog
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

Copyright © Aishling Obstetrics & Gynecology. All Rights Reserved


iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

The providers at Aishling Obstetrics & Gynecology offer comprehensive women’s health services including Gynecology, Obstetrics, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Cosmetic Services.