Prenatal Care & High-Risk Obstetrics

Comprehensive Prenatal Care & High-Risk Obstetrics

Plano Women’s Healthcare provides comprehensive care – from the day you get a positive pregnancy test to postpartum care. Our focus is on giving each patient compassionate, individualized, prenatal care, along with our high-level medical expertise.

We understand that this period of time can bring up a lot of questions, so we’ve compiled some of the most common questions we receive from our patients. If you have a question that’s not on this list, please don’t hesitate to call us for more information or to schedule a consultation.

What Should I Expect at My First Prenatal Visit?

Your first prenatal visit happens when you’re approximately seven to eight weeks pregnant. During this visit, you’ll have an ultrasound and consultation with your physician. They will review your medical history and ask about:

Your health, including diseases/conditions, operations, or current medications
Your family’s health history
Details about any prior pregnancies

Your doctor will also perform an examination, including:

A Pap smear (if due)
Draw blood and collect urine for specific lab tests
A check of your blood pressure
A check of your weight and height

They’ll also calculate your due date, review your options for elective genetic testing, and answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

What Happens at Follow-Up Prenatal Appointments?

Your first prenatal visit will likely be your longest. Subsequent appointments will be shorter and include checking your health, as well as making sure your baby is developing as expected. During these visits, your doctor will:

Check your blood pressure
Measure weight gain
Check the baby’s growth by measuring your abdomen
Check the baby’s heart rate
Draw labs at specified appointments to evaluate for conditions such as anemia and gestational diabetes.

What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

One question we're frequently asked at Plano Women's Healthcare is: How do I know if I have a high-risk pregnancy?

Women who fall into this category include those who:

Have pre-existing health conditions such as depression, diabetes, or high blood pressure
Have had complications with a previous pregnancy (birth defects, genetic issues, premature labor)
Are pregnant with more than one baby
Are 17 years of age or younger or over the age of 35
Are under or overweight before becoming pregnant

These risk factors raise your and/or your baby’s risk for certain health issues or preterm delivery. The physicians at Plano Women's Healthcare are experienced in caring for these high-risk situations.

How Often Will I Need to See My Doctor?

Here is a general guideline to the visit frequency but your actual appointment schedule may vary based on factors unique to your pregnancy.

1st and 2nd trimester: monthly visits

3rd trimester: every 2 week visits

36wks and beyond: weekly visits

Where Will My Delivery Take Place?

When the big day arrives, the doctors at Plano Women's Healthcare deliver their patients at Medical City Plano, voted the Best Place to Have a Baby & Best Childbirth Classes three years in a row (2019-2021).

We enjoy delivering at Medical City Plano because they feature:

A Level III Neonatal Care Unit
Award winning prenatal classes
24/7 Anesthesia Care (for epidurals)
Postpartum suites (upon request)
Daily postpartum visits with a lactation specialist

Get the Prenatal Care You Need as Soon as Possible

The best chance you and your baby have of staying healthy throughout your pregnancy is to schedule a prenatal visit. Getting excellent care from the very beginning will help ensure you stay healthy, comfortable, and confident. No question or concern is too trivial. The team at Plano Women’s Healthcare is dedicated to making you feel reassured through every stage of your pregnancy and delivery.

Comprehensive Prenatal Care
& High-Risk Obstetrics