OBSTETRICAL VISITS:
First Visit:
On your first visit, you will be oriented to the practice by one of our
nurses. She will determine your due date and take your medical
history. Our trained phlebotomist will draw your prenatal labs.
Subsequent Visits:
Dr. Hodges will examine you, discuss lab results, and answer your
questions. For an uncomplicated pregnancy, the visits are every four
(4) weeks until you reach your 28th week. After this, your visits will
be every two (2) weeks until your 36th week when you will be seen on a
weekly basis.
Obstetric Testing
1.Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome)
2.Trisomy 18
3.Spina Bifida*
*This test is optional and Dr. Hodges will discuss the pros and cons of
this test.
There are other tests that may be offered if your particular situation
requires these: These tests are Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS),
Amniocentesis, Non-Stress Testing, Biophysical Profile Testing, and
various other blood tests.
First Visit:
On your first visit, you will be oriented to the practice by one of our
nurses. She will determine your due date and take your medical
history. Our trained phlebotomist will draw your prenatal labs.
Subsequent Visits:
Dr. Hodges will examine you, discuss lab results, and answer your
questions. For an uncomplicated pregnancy, the visits are every four
(4) weeks until you reach your 28th week. After this, your visits will
be every two (2) weeks until your 36th week when you will be seen on a
weekly basis.
Obstetric Testing
- Second Visit – Dr. Hodges will perform a pap smear and cervical
cultures screening for sexually transmitted disease.
- From 16 – 18 weeks - we offer the alpha feto protein (AFP) blood
test that screens for:
1.Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome)
2.Trisomy 18
3.Spina Bifida*
*This test is optional and Dr. Hodges will discuss the pros and cons of
this test.
- At 20 weeks - we perform an anatomic survey ultrasound, which
takes approximately one hour to complete. In this ultrasound we
are visualizing and measuring the internal structures of the brain,
chest, (heart and lungs), abdomen and pelvis (your baby’s sex).
We evaluate the baby’s face to rule out cleft lip and palate. You
are welcome to bring a VHS tape and record this special time so
that you may share with others for years to come.
- At 26 – 28 weeks – we perform a one hour glucose challenge test
that screens for diabetes. The test is simple and you only need to
drink two (2) packages of Capri Sun Drink that we provide for you.
One hour after drinking the Capri Sun, we prick your finger and
evaluate the blood sample for glucose and iron content.
- Also at 28 weeks, if you happen to have RH-negative blood, i.e. A
negative, O negative, etc, then you will be given a rhogam injection.
- At 30 weeks – you will be offered an ultrasound to evaluate your
baby’s growth. The ultrasound will take approximately 30 minutes.
- At 35 –36 weeks – a vaginal culture will be obtained for group B
streptococcus (GBS). One third of all women have a positive GBS
culture. If this is positive, you will be given an antibiotic through
your IV when you are in early labor to avoid the passage of this
bacteria to your baby.
There are other tests that may be offered if your particular situation
requires these: These tests are Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS),
Amniocentesis, Non-Stress Testing, Biophysical Profile Testing, and
various other blood tests.
Moms Caring for Moms
Pamela Hodges M.D.
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