What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is important for the health of both you and your baby. Dr. Das offers a range of obstetrical services to guide you in your pregnancy, from preconception planning to medical care after your baby is born.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A pregnancy is considered high risk if you or your baby have an elevated risk of specific health complications developing, or if complications are already present. Factors that may make your pregnancy high risk include:
Multiple pregnancies
If you’re having twins, triplets, or more, the chance of experiencing complications increases and it’s classified as a high-risk pregnancy.
Hypertension
Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure during pregnancy that can lead to preeclampsia, a severe health condition. Dr. Das treats hypertension with numerous methods, including medications and lifestyle changes.
Diabetes
Gestational diabetes can develop during your pregnancy, and like other types of diabetes, it affects how your cells process glucose (sugar) as an energy source. Dr. Das can help you regulate your blood sugar during your pregnancy.
Other factors that make a pregnancy high-risk are advanced age, medical history, and lifestyle choices, such as alcohol consumption.
What is a miscarriage?
A miscarriage refers to a pregnancy that ends prematurely on its own. Most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. There are different reasons a miscarriage occurs, and it’s possible to have a complete or incomplete miscarriage.
Complete miscarriage
Symptoms of a complete miscarriage are abdominal pains and bleeding. When the uterus expels pregnancy tissues, the uterus can contract, and the cervix can open and release blood.
A complete miscarriage doesn’t mean you won’t be able to conceive and have a successful pregnancy in the future.
Incomplete miscarriage
An incomplete miscarriage doesn’t involve the uterus expelling all the products of conception. Some fetal or placental tissue can remain in the uterus and lead to medical complications.
Dr. Das is here to help you, and it’s important to see her right away if you suspect you’ve had a miscarriage. She checks your condition, and if necessary can remove any tissue still in your uterus after a miscarriage.
How often do I need to see the doctor during my pregnancy?
Dr. Das is with you through every trimester of your pregnancy to ensure the long-term health of both you and your baby.
First trimester
The first trimester lasts from conception to when you’re 12 weeks pregnant. Your first prenatal visit generally includes:
- Ultrasound
- Blood work
- Gynecological exam
- Confirmation pregnancy test
First trimester visits continue once a month after your initial visit with Dr. Das.
Second trimester
The second trimester is from weeks 12-28 of your pregnancy. Monthly visits continue, and at the 18-week mark, you generally have another ultrasound.
Third trimester
The third trimester is from 28-40 weeks, and your prenatal visits now occur every two weeks. In the last four weeks of your pregnancy, Dr. Das meets with you weekly.
To learn more about the compassionate pregnancy care at Advanced OB/GYNE, call or schedule an appointment online today.
