Prenatal Care

If you’re soon to have a baby, prenatal care helps support a healthy pregnancy for both you and your little one. At Southwest Florida Women’s Group in Naples, Florida, the obstetrics and gynecology team provides comprehensive prenatal visits to monitor fetal growth, track maternal health, and address concerns early. Care may include exams, ultrasounds, and lab work, along with guidance on nutrition and symptoms. Call the office or book online today to begin personalized pregnancy care.

What is included in prenatal care?

Prenatal care helps support the health of both you and your baby throughout pregnancy. Prenatal visits are designed to monitor development, identify potential concerns early, and guide you through a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

At Southwest Florida Women’s Group, during prenatal care appointments, your provider checks your overall health and tracks your baby’s growth and progress. Visits often include monitoring your blood pressure, weight, and the baby’s heartbeat. Your provider may also measure your abdomen to evaluate fetal growth as pregnancy progresses. 

Prenatal care also includes discussions about nutrition, exercise, medications, symptoms, and lifestyle habits that can affect pregnancy.

How often will I need prenatal visits during pregnancy?

The schedule for prenatal visits may vary depending on your health history and whether your pregnancy is considered high-risk. 

For most pregnancies, visits are typically scheduled once every four weeks during the first and second trimesters. Around 28 weeks, appointments often become more frequent, usually every two weeks. During the final weeks of pregnancy, visits are commonly scheduled once a week until delivery.

Regular prenatal visits allow your provider to monitor changes throughout your pregnancy and address any concerns as they arise. 

What tests are done during prenatal care?

At Southwest Florida Women’s Group, the team performs several tests and screenings during prenatal care to monitor your health and your baby’s development. 

Early in pregnancy, blood tests may check:

• Blood type
• Iron levels
• Immunity to certain infections
• Overall health

Urine testing is also commonly used to screen for:

• Infection
• Protein
• Glucose levels

In addition, ultrasounds are important as they help evaluate fetal growth, anatomy, and development. 

Screening tests for conditions such as gestational diabetes are usually performed later in pregnancy. Depending on your medical history, age, or risk factors, your provider may recommend additional genetic or diagnostic testing.

Why is early prenatal care important?

Starting care early allows your provider to identify potential complications sooner and create a care plan tailored to your needs. You can often effectively manage conditions, such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, when detected early.

Prenatal care also allows you to ask questions, learn what to expect during pregnancy, and receive guidance for labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. 

Learn more about prenatal care today by calling the friendly office or booking an appointment online.