Obstetrics

For your first visit with us to confirm your pregnancy, please bring a copy of your medical records and health insurance. During this visit, you may undergo a series of tests, including:

• A physical exam, which may include a Pap smear
• A prenatal blood draw to view your blood type and blood count
• Sonogram testing, which uses sound waves to create a picture of your body inside
• Infection disease screenings for infections such as syphilis, hepatitis B and rubella. The state of Texas requires an HIV test.

We will review all results with you at a follow-up appointment.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, you may be pregnant:

• Missed period
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tender or swollen breasts
• Spotting or light vaginal bleeding
• Cramping
• Unusual avoidance or cravings of foods
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Mood swings

Once your pregnancy is confirmed between now and 28 weeks, we will ask you to schedule a visit with us every four weeks. After 28 weeks, you'll have a visit every two weeks, and then you'll visit once a week after your 36th week of pregnancy up to your delivery date. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, your obstetrician may require seeing you more often.

During your prenatal visits, you can expect a series of tests including but not limited to:

• Weight
• Blood pressure
• Urine
• Fetal heartbeat

You may need additional tests at key milestones of your pregnancy, such as:

• Anemia and gestational diabetes screening: Your provider may order this test during your 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. The test involves you drinking a sugary drink one hour before we draw your blood to check for these conditions.
• Third-trimester blood tests: At 32 weeks, the state requires that all pregnant persons undergo screening for HIV and syphilis via a rapid plasma reagin (RPR) blood test.
• Vaginal culture for group B strep: Group B strep (GBP) is a normal bacteria found in the vagina. While not harmful to women or a developing fetus, it can cause harm to newborns during delivery. If your results are positive for GBP, your OB will prescribe an antibiotic medication during your labor and delivery.

If you have a birth plan or preferences about your labor and delivery experience, share it with your obstetrician. We provide a range of pain relief options for labor and will support your choices. If you choose to use medication, we offer:

• IV narcotics: These medications are given through injection, IV or orally and help to reduce pain associated with strong contractions. They may make you sleepy and are avoided close to time of delivery.
• Epidural: A safe, popular option that is provided by an anesthesiologist, this procedure uses a fine, thin catheter or tube placed in your back during active labor. The medicine will continually drop through the catheter providing you pain relief throughout your labor and removed after delivery.
• Local anesthesia: Many patients deliver without medication. Sometimes, we give a small, pinprick injection of numbing medicine for stitches called lidocaine.

In preparing for the birth of your baby, you may also want to consider:

• Registering for delivery: In order to best care for you during your delivery, please call Medical City Women's Hospital Dallas at 972-566-2252 to make an appointment for readmission when you are at 26 weeks into your pregnancy. Appointment hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed holidays and weekends. You may also visit the office at Building D, 7th Floor, Suite 730.
• Taking a birth educational course: Courses on labor and delivery, breastfeeding, infant CPR and baby care. We especially recommend these courses if you're a first-time parent. View a list of classes and events at Medical City Women's Hospital Dallas.
• Finding a pediatrician: You'll need to find a pediatrician before you deliver your baby for follow-up visits and care. We can provide a list of pediatricians in your area if needed.
• Install a baby car seat: By law, infants must be transported in a federally approved, properly installed, crash-tested car seat for every trip, including their first ride home from the hospital.
• Breastfeeding: Breast milk is perfectly designed nutrition for your baby, and research shows babies who breastfed get fewer infections and are hospitalized less. Breastfeeding can also help with postpartum weight loss and help to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. After delivery, our nurses and lactation specialist can help you with your breastfeeding questions and needs.
• Circumcision: A circumcision is a completely optional procedure to remove the excess foreskin from the penis of a boy infant. It may help to reduce infections and penis cancer. If you would like to schedule this procedure, please let your doctor know.
• Cord blood banking: Cord blood banking is a procedure where the blood from your infant's umbilical cord is stored for potential future use or donated. This is a decision that needs to be made before birth and most insurance will not cover the cost. You may order a cord banking kit and bring it with you to your delivery. Talk to your doctor for more information.

If you are concerned about any genetic diseases, you can opt to be screened for a series of congenital and genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF) or Down syndrome.

Please speak with your obstetrician if you have any questions about these tests during your first visit. We recommend you check with your health insurance provider to see if these tests are covered under your plan.