Prenatal Care Specialist

What does prenatal care involve?

Prenatal care involves checkups by a doctor or midwife to ensure your pregnancy is progressing normally and that you and the baby aren’t exhibiting any complications.

Dr. Hooker will also monitor your baby’s development to make sure he or she is growing at a normal rate. These appointments are important for you to stay informed and healthy throughout every step of your pregnancy and up to the birth of your child.

Dr. Hooker also coaches you and gives you information on your diet and good habits to have during pregnancy. Each checkup is an opportunity for you to ask any questions that arise and make sure that any symptoms are pregnancy-related and normal.

How often should I visit my doctor while pregnant?

Prenatal visits need to increase in frequency as you approach your due date. If you’re planning to get pregnant, you should start visiting your doctor for pre-pregnancy care, if possible. If the pregnancy was unplanned, start coming to Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care as soon as you know you’re pregnant.

You should attend appointments:

• Every 4-6 weeks for the first 32 weeks
• Every 2-3 weeks for weeks 32-37
• Once a week from week 37 until your delivery

If you have complications, Dr. Hooker may recommend you come in for prenatal care more often.

What happens at a prenatal appointment?

At each appointment, Dr. Hooker administers several tests to monitor the changes in your body and your baby. These include:

• Urinalysis
• Fetal heartbeat
• Measuring your belly
• Genetic testing
• Pelvic exam
• Pap test
• Blood pressure test
• Screening for diseases (diabetes, rubella, chlamydia, etc.)

After testing, Dr. Hooker will likely ask you about your diet and lifestyle and coach you to ensure you’re being healthy while you’re pregnant. If you follow his instructions, you’ll have the best possible outcome for your pregnancy.

If you plan on becoming pregnant or if you already are, it’s important for you to start coming in for prenatal checkups as soon as possible. Call or schedule an appointment online at Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, today.