Celebrating the wonder and excitement of a new beginning, the three practices that comprise Seasons have distinctive histories of women’s health excellence.
Prenatal Vitamins
You will get most of the vitamins and minerals you need from a healthy diet. However, it is difficult to get enough calcium, iron and folic acid (a B-vitamin that helps to prevent defects of the brain and spinal cord known as neural tube defects) from the food you eat. Therefore, we recommend that you take a prenatal vitamin every day. Because neural tube defects originate during the first month of pregnancy (before many women know they are pregnant), it is desirable for women of childbearing age to take folic acid supplements before conception. This will help reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
If you need to inquire about starting prenatal vitamins or folic acid, please call our office. Prenatal vitamins can be refilled as needed throughout your pregnancy by calling your pharmacist.
Your Obstetric Visits & Testing
During your pregnancy, you will usually be seen for regular visits every four weeks until 28 weeks; every two to three weeks until 36 weeks; then weekly until delivery.
We will do a number of routine tests to assess your health and the health of your baby. These include a standard blood pregnancy profile and a pap smear and cultures at your first visit; blood tests for diabetes and anemia in the second trimester; and a vaginal culture for Group B Strep at 35-36 weeks.