What to Expect During Your Pregnancy

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Once you discover you are pregnant, please contact our office to schedule your OB Connect visit.

OB Connect is designed to help us begin building a relationship with you early in your pregnancy. We want to get to know you as a person—not just as an expectant mother—and learn about your goals, concerns, and hopes for your pregnancy journey.

During this visit, we will:

• Review your medical and pregnancy history
• Discuss any medications you are currently taking
• Answer your questions and address any concerns
• Perform laboratory testing as needed

Most importantly, this visit provides an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin creating a personalized care plan that supports both your health and your pregnancy goals. Our team is here to provide guidance, support, and encouragement every step of the way.

Early pregnancy focuses on confirming a healthy pregnancy and establishing a strong foundation for your prenatal care.

During this stage, you can expect:

• A comprehensive physical examination
• Review of your health history and pregnancy risk factors
• Prenatal counseling and education
• Routine laboratory testing
• Discussion of available genetic screening options

Between 11 and 14 weeks, genetic screening may be offered to assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions. Your provider will discuss available testing options and help you decide which, if any, are right for you.

Most patients are seen approximately every four weeks during the first trimester.

Many women begin feeling better during the second trimester as early pregnancy symptoms improve.

During this time:

• Routine prenatal visits continue approximately every four weeks
• Your baby’s heartbeat and growth are monitored
• Your blood pressure and weight are checked
• Additional laboratory testing may be recommended

Anatomy Ultrasound

Around 18 to 22 weeks, a detailed anatomy ultrasound is performed to evaluate your baby’s growth and development. This important scan allows us to assess major organs and structures and monitor overall fetal health.

If you choose to learn your baby’s sex, it can often be determined during this ultrasound examination.

As your baby continues to grow, prenatal visits become more frequent.

Between 24 and 28 weeks, most patients complete screening for gestational diabetes. This test helps identify elevated blood sugar levels that can develop during pregnancy and allows us to provide appropriate care when needed.

From 28 weeks onward, appointments are typically scheduled every two to four weeks, depending on your individual needs and pregnancy progression.

During these visits, we continue to monitor:

• Maternal blood pressure
• Weight gain
• Baby’s growth and position
• Fetal heart rate
• Signs of pregnancy complications

Many families also choose this time to attend childbirth education classes and prepare for labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

Beginning around 36 weeks, prenatal visits are generally scheduled weekly.

Between 35 and 37 weeks, we perform Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening. This simple test identifies bacteria that may be present naturally and helps us determine whether antibiotics will be recommended during labor to protect your baby.

During your final weeks of pregnancy, your provider will:

• Monitor signs of labor
• Evaluate your baby’s position
• Discuss your birth preferences
• Review labor precautions and when to contact our office

If your pregnancy extends beyond your due date, additional monitoring may be recommended to assess your baby’s well-being and discuss delivery options.