Pregnancy

What kind of prenatal care do I need?

Prenatal care protects the health of both you and your baby. You’ll see Dr. Clott at least once per month for prenatal care, and usually more frequently as your pregnancy progresses. If you or your baby have specific health problems, you may see Dr. Clott more often, too.

At your prenatal visits, you can expect:

• Ultrasounds
• Blood tests
• Blood pressure checks
• Weight monitoring
• Measurement of the baby’s size and heart rate

You may also undergo genetic testing if your baby is at risk for any specific inherited disorders. During prenatal visits, feel free to raise any questions or concerns you may have about diet, exercise, medications, lifestyle habits, or symptoms.

What health concerns can affect my pregnancy?

Most women experience safe, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. But health problems that affect the mother or baby can sometimes occur. Pregnancy complications may include:

• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Infections
• Preeclampsia
• Preterm labor
• Genetic disorders
• Miscarriage or stillbirth

Getting quality prenatal care is a way to prevent these complications or to manage them if they should arise. Dr. Clott is committed to making sure that you and your baby stay healthy. Most pregnancy complications are treatable, but early diagnosis is vital.

Can an obstetrician deal with high-risk pregnancies?

Dr. Clott has a lot of experience dealing with high-risk pregnancies. A high-risk pregnancy is any pregnancy that carries a greater chance of complications. These include cases in which:

• The mother has diabetes or gestational diabetes
• Maternal age is 35 or older
• The mother exhibits elevated blood pressure
• Pregnancy involves multiple fetuses

Any pre-existing conditions that the mother has, such as lupus, may also make a pregnancy more high-risk. During a high-risk pregnancy, you may need more frequent monitoring and additional screening tests.

What happens during a prenatal office visit?

Most prenatal visits include a physical exam and a consultation with your doctor. A member of the staff at Somerset Women’s Care weighs you, takes your blood pressure, and asks how you're feeling. You’ll also be asked about any new symptoms or questions.

You may undergo a pelvic exam or routine blood and urine tests. Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you may have an ultrasound to check the baby’s growth and development.

Call Somerset Women’s Care or schedule an appointment online to start your pregnancy care.