The Importance of Pregnancy Care

Have you scheduled a prenatal visit with your Hoffman Estates, IL, OB/GYNs at Northwest Associates for Women's Healthcare yet? Pregnancy care helps your doctor monitor your health and your baby's growth and development while quickly identifying any potential issues.

When should you see the OB/GYN?

The first prenatal visit usually takes place when you're around six to eight weeks pregnant. If you have a medical condition or are experiencing severe morning sickness or other issues, you'll need to make an appointment even earlier.

During your first visit to the Hoffman Estates, IL, office, your OB/GYN will examine you and review your medical history, medications, health conditions, and any previous pregnancies. They may also ask about birth defects or genetic conditions that have occurred in your family or the father's family and discuss prenatal testing. You'll also be given an estimated due date.

You should visit your OB/GYN for checkups every month between weeks 8 to 28, every two weeks between weeks 28 - 36, and every week between weeks 36 - 41. If you're having more than one baby or have a health condition or complications, you may need to see your OB/GYN more frequently.

How your OB/GYN can help you have a healthy pregnancy

When you visit the OB/GYN regularly, potential health issues with you or your baby can be identified and treated immediately. For example, eclampsia, a health problem that affects some pregnant women is often detected during a routine examination. The condition causes your blood pressure to increase to dangerously high levels, threatening both your health and that of your baby. Prompt treatment helps control the symptoms of pre-eclampsia and other pregnancy-related conditions.

Your OB/GYN will also offer urine and blood tests that can identify health issues, including high blood sugar, anemia, gestational diabetes, hepatitis B and C, and Rh disease. You may also receive ultrasounds to evaluate your baby's development and tests that can detect birth defects.

Do you need to make a pregnancy care appointment at Northwest Associates for Women's Healthcare? Call your OB/GYNs in Hoffman Estates, IL, at (847) 884-1800 to schedule your appointment.