Prenatal Care
Prenatal care before delivery is essential to ensuring a healthy pregnancy for mom and baby. This care includes regular office visits with a physician, midwife, or certified nurse practitioner, completing scheduled tests, and attending prenatal classes.
Regular Office Visits
Regularly scheduled visits with Physician, Midwife, or Certified Nurse Practitioner are needed to ensure healthy development of baby. Healthcare providers can detect health problems early when mothers are seen regularly. Early treatment can cure or prevent health problems. Regularly scheduled visits during pregnancy are essential to assess both maternal and fetal health, growth and development, and to keep mom up to date with recommended testing. Visits are scheduled monthly through the 28th week of pregnancy. During the third trimester, visits will occur every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks. Visits will then occur weekly until delivery.
What to Expect
Your first appoint will ne your Nurse Intake. This is a one hour , in person appointment with a Registered Nurse. During this appointment, we will gather your health history, including diseases, operations, and prior pregnancy information. We will also gather information on your family history. You will also receive information on pregnancy and receive information to assist you with your pregnancy journey.
Your second appointment will be with a medical provider. You will have a physical exam. Including a pelvic exam and pap testing. We will check your blood pressure, height and weight.
Later appointments in pregnancy include blood pressure check, urine check for protein, measure of weight gain, measure of abdomen to check baby's growth, baby heart rate monitoring, and ultrasound tests if ordered by the physician.
Patients are encouraged to write down questions to ask the healthcare provider prior to the scheduled appointment to ensure understanding of pregnancy progress and health status.
Scheduled Tests
During pregnancy, it is important to monitor the health of mom to ensure a proper environment for baby to grow and develop. The healthcare provider will schedule tests including blood work to check for anemia or infection, blood type and Rh, genetic testing if desired, and blood glucose screening for gestational diabetes.
Prenatal Classes & Support Services
Expectant mothers attend prenatal classes prior to delivery, especially for first-time pregnancies. Childbirth classes can be scheduled by calling 814.534.9009.
Prepared Childbirth Class (On-site or Online)
On-site: A series of three, two-hour classes for mom and labor coach should be taken during the final trimester of pregnancy. Topics include signs of labor, process of labor and childbirth, relaxation and breathing techniques important to the mother's comfort during labor and delivery, comfort measures, pain management, and anesthesia.
Online: Online child birth classes - Your Place! Your Pace! All from the convenience of your own home.
For more information or to register for on-site or online classes, call 814.534.9009.
Breastfeeding Class
A three-hour class is open to pregnant women interested in learning more about breastfeeding, including the labor coach. Class topics include advantages of breastfeeding for mother and infant, preparation for breastfeeding, feeding after delivery, and support services.
Lactation Support Services
Breast milk is ideal food for baby. Conemaugh Health System Certified Lactation Consultants and Counselors offer support and assistance to each mother's needs immediately following birth. Breastfeeding assistance and skills are tailored to meet the needs of mother and baby.