Obstetrical Care - Intermountain Healthcare



Obstetrical Care

If you have a positive pregnancy test, you need to be seen by 10-12 weeks from your last menstrual period. You should be taking prenatal vitamins during this time. If fact, this is the most important time to be taking prenatal vitamins and if you are trying to get pregnant, you should be taking vitamins now.

1st trimester (up to 13 weeks):

If you have severe abdominal pain and cramping or if you have vaginal bleeding, you should be seen by your doctor or at the InstaCare or ER to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

20-40 weeks:

If you experience any problems that you need to be seen for, you should go straight to Labor and Delivery. These would include:

Any leak or gush of fluids (possible ruptured membranes

Regular contractions or rhythmic back, abdominal or pelvic pain (such as back pain that lasts for 30 seconds every 5 minutes) before 36 weeks gestational age.

Persistent vaginal bleeding (not just a little spotting)

Decreased fetal movements after 28 weeks (not getting kick counts within the last 24 hours)

Prenatal Visits and Care:

10-30 weeks, every 4 weeks.

30-36 weeks, every 2 weeks.

36-41 weeks, every week.

Screening blood draw done at first visit will include: hepatitis B, HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, blood type, syphilis, rubella, a blood count and a screen for antibodies.

At 16-18 weeks, a screening for neural tube defects (spina bifida etc.) and downs can be done if desired.

Around 20 weeks a screening ultrasound is ordered.

After 28 weeks, you should do fetal kick counts (should have one episode of 10 “kicks” or movements in one hour every day. If you do not feel this, do something that usually stimulates the fetus (juice, music etc) and lie down and try to feel the baby move. If you do not feel that movement within 24 hours, you should go to Labor and Delivery for evaluation.

At 28 weeks if you are Rh negative (negative blood type), we will recheck for antibodies and administer a rhogam shot. If you are Rh negative you will receive a rhogam shot before you leave the hospital at delivery if your baby has a positive blood type.

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