“Dr. Altenbern has gone above and beyond for me and I would not trust anyone else!”
The OB Journey
A Detailed Guide to Your OB Visits
Inital ob Vist
At this visit we will not only confirm that you are indeed pregnant, but we will perform a pelvis exam and, if needed, a pap smear will be obtained. Afterwards, we will draw your prenatal bloodwork. A urine drug screening may be obtained any time during your pregnancy per The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology’s recommendations. After six weeks gestation, we will order an ultrasound to confirm your dude date.
10 - 14 WEEKS
We will listen to the detail heart tones for the first time! In addition to hearing the heart tones, you will be offered an optional test called Panorama. The Panorama test is screening for Down Syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X, and other genetic disorders. The Panorama test can also tell us the sex of the baby if you want to know.
20 WEEKS
At this visit you will have an ultrasound to ensure that the baby is growing and developing appropriately. After the ultrasound is completed, you will come to the office to review the ultrasound report with Dr. Altenbern.
24 - 28 WEEKS
In addition to listening to the fetal heart tones, you will be given the glucose tolerance test to check for gestation diabetes. You have five minutes to drink your glucose drink and we will draw your blood one hour after you finish. It is crucial to the test that you do not eat or drink anything for a least two hours before your visit. At this point, we start seeing you every three weeks, and begin measuring the size of your uterus to ensure that the baby is growing appropriately.
30 WEEKS
At this visit, we will listen to the fetal heart tones and continue to measure the uterus for growth and development. At this point, we will start your 2 week visits!
35 WEEKS - DELIVERY
Now begins your weekly visits! In addition to listening to the fetal heart tones and measuring the size fo your uterus, we will begin performing pelvic exams to determine the position of the baby and check your cervix for dilation and/or thinning out. We will also obtain a Group B Strep culture of your cervix. Group B Strep is NOT a sexually transmitted disease; it is a bacteria that is present in some women. If the culture comes back positive, we will give are you antibiotics while you are in labor to help protect the baby. It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of vaginal spotting/bleeding after a pelvic exam. Please notify the office if the bleeding becomes heavy or lasts more than a day or two.
pOSTPARTUM
Typically, you will be seen 4-6 weeks post-delivery for you postpartum check. This may vary depending on your individual needs. If you had a vaginal birth, this visit will involve a pelvic exam to make sure your cervix and uterus have healed from delivery. If you had a C-Section, you will come in two weeks later to have your incision checked. At either visit, we will discuss birth control options, and in three months, a pap smear will be done.