Prenatal Care Specialist

What happens during a prenatal exam?

During your office visit, your blood pressure will be measured and you'll be weighed. Your belly may also be measured, and you'll need to provide a urine sample to check for signs of disease. Dr. Naim will discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have, and he may order ultrasounds or lab tests, both of which can be performed right in the office.

How often do I need to have prenatal exams?

Most women will see the doctor every month until the 28th week, then every other week until the 36th week, at which point you'll need to see the doctor every week until delivery. Women with high-risk pregnancies will probably need to see the doctor more frequently.

What does it mean to have a high-risk pregnancy?

High-risk pregnancies are pregnancies that pose potential problems for either the mother or the baby or both. Lots of factors can contribute to a high-risk pregnancy, including:

• smoking

• obesity

• alcohol or drug use

• diabetes

• high blood pressure

• gestational diabetes

• hypertension of pregnancy

• uterine fibroids

• being pregnant with more than one baby

• having a history of miscarriages

What can I do to stay healthy during pregnancy?

The most important steps you can take are to:

• see Dr. Naim for all your scheduled exams
• eat a healthy and balanced diet
• get plenty of exercise as well as rest
• quit smoking, and avoid alcohol, caffeine and drugs

You also should never take any medicine or other over-the-counter product including vitamins and supplements without talking to Dr. Naim first.

How can I tell if I have a high-risk pregnancy?

Most high-risk pregnancies are diagnosed during regular prenatal exams, which is one reason why keeping your prenatal appointments is so important. Risk factors may also be uncovered in your personal or family medical histories. In some cases, Dr. Naim may order additional testing to determine if your pregnancy is considered high-risk.