Women's Health & OBGYN of University Missouri-Columbia

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- Missouri OB/Gyn Associates - Missouri Perinatal Center - Missouri Center for Reproductive
   Medicine and Fertility - Missouri Center for Female Continence
   and Advanced Pelvic Surgery - Missouri Center for Gynecologic Oncology - Missouri OB/Gyn Associates Smiley
   Lane clinic

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- Missouri OB/Gyn Associates - Missouri Perinatal Center - Missouri Center for Reproductive
   Medicine and Fertility - Missouri Center for Female Continence
   and Advanced Pelvic Surgery - Missouri Center for Gynecologic Oncology - Missouri OB/Gyn Associates Smiley
   Lane clinic

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Prenatal Care Schedule:

Staying on a prenatal care schedule can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care. When seen regularly, doctors can spot possible health problems early, which allows doctors to treat those problems early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others.

During the first prenatal visit, you can expect the following:

	ask about your health history including diseases, operations, or prior pregnancies
	ask about your family's health history
	do a complete physical exam
	do a pelvic exam with a Pap test
	order tests of your blood and urine
	check your blood pressure, urine, height, and weight
	calculate your expected due date
	and answer your questions

Prenatal visits continue every 4-6 weeks through the first week through the 28th week

During your prenatal visit you will:

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be weighed

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have your blood pressure taken

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have your urine checked for sugar, protein, or bacteria

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have your face, hands, ankles, and feet checked for swelling

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have your baby's heartbeat listened to

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have the size of your uterus measured to be sure the baby is growing well

15 to 20 weeks: At one of your appointments within this period, you will be offered the Quad Screen test, which screens for genetic and spinal cord abnormalities.

18 and 20 weeks: You may also be offered an ultrasound to view the baby’s organs, and measure the growth of the baby and the placenta.

Prenatal visits continue every two weeks from the 29th week through the 36th week

These visits will continue to:

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check the baby’s heartbeat

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record the growth of the baby

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check the position of the baby

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check your blood pressure

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check your urine for signs of diabetes

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measure your weight gain

Prenatal visits continue every week from the 36th week through the 40th week

During these visits you will:

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have a pelvic exam

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be encourage to have a Group B Strep test (on week 36)

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have your weight and blood pressure monitored

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have the baby’s heartbeat checked

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possibly have your cervix checked for dilation

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have the baby's position and size estimated

If your baby is not head down, your provider may suggest exercises to encourage the baby to turn, or suggest a physical manipulation called external version. The risks and benefits of this procedure should be carefully explained.