Pregnancy is an exciting time in any woman’s life, but it’s also a time when you need to take extra care of yourself and your baby. If you have questions, like many pregnant women do, about your pregnancy, delivery, or any related issues, Adeeb Alshahrour, MD, FACOG, at Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago is available to help. You receive the best in prenatal care and pregnancy support at the Chicago or Bridgeview, Illinois, location. If you’re pregnant or you’re thinking of becoming pregnant, call the office nearest you or use the online tool to book an appointment today.
What kind of pregnancy care do I need?
Every pregnancy is unique, and Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago provides a wide range of obstetric services that deal with:
Routine prenatal care
Prenatal care ensures you’re in the best health during your pregnancy and reduces the chance of complications in your birth process and with your baby.
High-risk pregnancy
If you suffered a miscarriage or a difficult pregnancy in the past, you may have a higher risk of developing issues during your pregnancy.
Some mothers are older than others, and have preexisting conditions or may have a higher risk of developing them during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, infections, and fetal malformations.
In any scenario, the team provides compassionate care to preempt complications and provide you with the correct prenatal care.
Multiple gestations
Pregnancy with multiple babies can take an additional toll on your body, and you require additional care to ensure your health and the health of your babies.
Fetal monitoring
The practice uses advanced ultrasound and other monitoring technology to keep a close watch on your baby’s development through different stages of your pregnancy.
Even if you’re just thinking of having a baby, Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago can help you get started with ovulation induction, if necessary, and put you on track for a safe and optimal pregnancy.
How often do I need to schedule pregnancy-related appointments?
Most patients visit Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago about once a month for the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, and during weeks 28 to 36, you visit your doctor twice a month. In the last few weeks leading up to your delivery date, you see your doctor on a weekly basis.
If you are pregnant with multiple babies, or you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may suggest more frequent appointments.
What happens during prenatal appointments?
During your first prenatal exam, your doctor at Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago takes your medical and family history and discusses any past pregnancies, including miscarriages and other difficulties you may have experienced.
They also do a Pap smear, pelvic exam, and may order blood tests to screen for German measles, hepatitis B, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In addition, the practice also monitors for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and urinary tract infections.
Your doctor also performs a complete physical exam that measures your blood pressure and weight that they track throughout your pregnancy.
They prescribe prenatal supplements and, if you are considered a high-risk pregnancy, they determine the appropriate additional care and treatments you may require.
During subsequent visits, your doctor performs ultrasounds to assess the health of your baby, and check for birth defects and anatomical abnormalities.
They also examine your current health, including your weight and blood pressure, take a measurement of your stomach, and evaluate you for complications like gestational diabetes, or anemia.
If you’re pregnant or are considering pregnancy, call the office or book an appointment with the online tool and start receiving the correct care at Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago.
