As an expecting mother you want and deserve comprehensive, compassionate support – from pre-pregnancy planning to postpartum recovery.
In this article, we’ll cover all the most important questions, starting with how we can help you to get that positive test – and including:
- what to expect from prenatal care visits,
- your prenatal care schedule, and
- the recommended blood work for pregnant women.
Let’s jump straight in!
How Can You Help Yourself Get a Positive Pregnancy Test?
Before that “life-changing” pregnancy test turns positive, there are critical steps that can make a significant difference in your journey to becoming a mother.
If you’re trying to conceive, and success seems elusive, we provide resources and support for you. We know it can be frustrating! So, please come in for lifestyle guidance, prenatal supplements, and fertility consultations.
Why have a fertility consultation? Because fertility tests can offer valuable insight into your ovulation patterns, egg quality, and overall fertility. This helps you understand your body and optimize your chances of conception.
What Should Expecting Mothers Do After a Positive Test?
Once you see those two lines or a glowing “pregnant” on the test, it’s natural to feel a rush of emotions. The first step for all expectant mothers is to schedule an initial prenatal appointment with your healthcare provider.
At your first prenatal appointment, your healthcare provider will confirm the pregnancy, calculate your due date, and begin building a comprehensive care plan tailored to your unique needs.
This initial visit involves your first lab test for pregnancy – to confirm the pregnancy and check your hormone levels, including hCG, to ensure everything is progressing normally.
What is the Blood Work for in Pregnancy?
It’s a reasonable question to want to know what it’s “for” – especially if you’re not keen on blood draws. But blood work is a vital part of prenatal care. It provides essential information about your health and the health of your baby.
For expecting mothers, these tests can detect potential issues early, guide your personalized care plan, and offer you peace of mind at an emotional time.
They’re used for:
- Confirming pregnancy. Checking hCG levels confirms a viable pregnancy.
- Assessing blood type and Rh factor. Understanding your blood type and Rh factor is crucial to prevent complications like Rh incompatibility.
- Screening for anemia. Checking hemoglobin and hematocrit levels ensures you have enough healthy red blood cells to support your growing baby.
- Detecting infections. Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis protects your baby’s health.
- Evaluating immunity. Confirming immunity to diseases like rubella and chickenpox because these can pose risks during your pregnancy.
If you’re searching for blood work for pregnancy near me, we have convenient, accurate testing with our in-house labs for quick turnaround times.
What Happens at Your First Prenatal Appointment?
Your first prenatal appointment is a comprehensive visit designed to establish a strong foundation for your pregnancy care. These are the things your healthcare provider will do:
Review your medical history, which includes any previous pregnancies, existing medical conditions, and your family’s health history.
Perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, to assess the size of your uterus and confirm the pregnancy.
Conduct ultrasounds: Depending on how far along you are, you might have your first ultrasound to check the baby’s heartbeat and confirm your due date.
Order blood work for pregnancy: As mentioned earlier, this step is critical for assessing your overall health and detecting any potential concerns early.
Discuss prenatal vitamins and nutrition: Your provider will guide you on the best nutrients to support your baby’s growth, including folic acid, iron, and calcium.
Create a personalized prenatal appointment schedule to ensure regular check-ins throughout your pregnancy. This allows for monitoring of both your health and your baby’s development.
What is the Prenatal Appointment Schedule Like?
After your initial prenatal appointment, your provider will establish a regular schedule of check-ups to monitor your baby’s growth and your overall well-being. A typical schedule might look like this:
Weeks 4-28: Monthly visits
Weeks 28-36: Bi-weekly visits
Weeks 36-Birth: Weekly visits
However, recent, new guidance suggests a more personalized approach where appropriate, with possibly fewer in-person visits and other care modalities.
How Do We Support Expecting Mothers Throughout Their Pregnancy?
At Stella Mattina, we go beyond just routine prenatal care services. We understand that every pregnancy is unique, so you need comprehensive, personalized care that includes a number of things:
Personalized care plans that evolve with your pregnancy, guided by specialists who take time to understand your unique needs and preferences.
Advanced monitoring, from high-resolution ultrasounds to ongoing fetal health checks, ensures early detection of concerns and continuous peace of mind.
Genetic testing and counseling to help you understand hereditary risks and make informed decisions.
High-risk pregnancy management, with maternal fetal medicine specialists trained to handle every complication like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
Support for good nutrition, emotional health, and fitness.
What Should Expecting Mothers Receive as Pregnancy Progresses?
As your pregnancy progresses, your care needs will evolve.
This includes more frequent prenatal appointments, additional blood work for pregnant women, and specialized screenings, such as glucose tolerance tests, to monitor for gestational diabetes.
We ensure that no detail is overlooked, so you can have peace of mind from the first positive test through delivery and beyond.
Preparing for Birth and Beyond
As your due date approaches, you’ll likely have questions about birth plans, hospital tours, and what to expect in those first precious moments with your newborn.
Don’t worry about it! We’ll guide you every step of the way.
And after childbirth, we’ll continue to support you with postpartum check-ups, lactation consulting, and personalized guidance to help you navigate breastfeeding or bottle feeding, full physical and hormonal recovery, and any challenges that may arise.
As an Expecting Mother, Why Choose Stella Mattina?
Choosing the right prenatal healthcare provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent.
At Stella Mattina, we specialize in providing expert care focused on the needs of all women. That obviously includes you when you’re pregnant.
From fertility support to postpartum care, our experienced ObGyns in Dallas are here for you – providing the expertise you need to navigate your pregnancy with enjoyment.
Choose your most convenient Stella Mattina location and call in!
Dr. Krum is currently in practice in Arlington, TX. He received his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, then attended UTMB Galveston for medical school, finishing in 1986, completing his residency there in 1990. Providing a full range of obstetrical and gynecological care, he specializes in the treatment of endometriosis and robotic surgery. He arranges his schedule so that same-day appointments are usually available.