Obstetric Services
At AION Women’s Health, we strive to create a trusting relationship with you during your pregnancy and support your individual preferences regarding your birth experience.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is the medical care provided to pregnant women to ensure a healthy mommy and healthy baby. We recommend the initial prenatal visit in the first trimester, preferably prior to 10 weeks of gestation. At this visit, we review your health and medical history, complete a physical exam, and perform an ultrasound to determine your estimated due date. We also review what to expect during the course of your pregnancy and healthy behaviors recommended during pregnancy. Prenatal visits occur every four weeks until 28 weeks, every two weeks from 28-36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks until the birth of your baby. At each prenatal visit, we ask about your pregnancy symptoms and answer any questions, monitor your weight and blood pressure, test your urine for protein and glucose, measure your uterus and baby’s growth, and listen to your baby’s heartbeat. Additional ultrasounds and tests are performed periodically during your pregnancy. We also offer the flu and Tdap (whooping cough) vaccines to all pregnant women.
Labor & Birth
Birth is one of the most precious and momentous occasions in a woman’s life. We believe that childbirth is, first and foremost, your experience. As providers, we will do everything possible to make your birth positive and empowered. Our aim is to support your individual preferences while ensuring a healthy mommy and healthy baby. We perform vaginal and Cesarean deliveries at Samaritan Hospital.
Postpartum Care
Our personalized care continues even after birth. We see all of our postpartum patients for a minimum of two postpartum visits. Our postpartum care focuses on not only your body’s recovery from birth, but also on your transition to motherhood or adjustment with your new little one. We screen all of our postpartum patients for postpartum depression. We also counsel all of our postpartum patients regarding contraception (birth control) and initiate contraception if desired at approximately 6 weeks postpartum.
Labs & Ultrasound
Laboratory tests use blood or urine to analyze and evaluate your health with regards to your pregnancy. We routinely check all recommended lab tests as part of your prenatal care including blood type, Rh factor, screening for anemia, screening for endocrine abnormalities such as thyroid disease and diabetes, and screening for infections that can impact pregnancy. We also offer optional prenatal testing including carrier screening for Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and other conditions as well as genetic screening to determine the likelihood of chromosomal disorders affecting your pregnancy. We draw blood in the office at the time of your visit.
Ultrasound is an imaging method that uses sound waves to visualize the reproductive system and can be used to evaluate pregnancy. We typically perform an ultrasound at the time of your first prenatal visit to evaluate the location of your pregnancy and establish your estimated due date.
Photos courtesy of Stefanie Galfano Photography