How often should I see the doctor when I’m pregnant?

At Premier OB/GYN, Bradenton, FL area women who are pregnant have the experience and resources of a group of qualified doctors. Pregnant women in their earlier stages may be unsure how often they need to visit their doctor for evaluation. Many ask, how often should I see the doctor while I’m pregnant?

The importance of prenatal care

When you’re expecting, you will not only be welcoming a new child into your lives—you will also be welcoming a new routine of regular prenatal visits with your OB/GYN. During these visits, you will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat, learn about the current size of your baby, view images of your baby in the womb, and discuss the progress your baby is making every step of the way until delivery. It is highly recommended that women seek routine prenatal care to ensure a healthy pregnancy. For women who have been told they have a high risk pregnancy, they may need prenatal care more than ever, and may end up having more OB/GYN visits than those currently on track with a healthy pregnancy.

How often should I see my doctor?

For routine, healthy pregnancies with no complications, women will start by visiting their OB/GYN for monthly visits. Around the end of the second trimester and the beginning of the third, women are encouraged to visit their doctor every two weeks. After 36 weeks, prenatal visits should be completed every week until the birth of your child.

What risk factors may increase my time at the doctor?

Patients who have certain risk factors that may make them experience a high risk pregnancy will want to visit their doctor more often than those who don’t. The risk factors that may contribute to a high risk pregnancy include:

• Women over the age of 35
• Women with pre-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes
• Women with a higher risk of preterm labor, or those who have a history of preterm labor or birth
• Women who have medical problems that develop during their pregnancy, including high blood pressure or gestational diabetes

Do you need to seek prenatal care of the health of you and your baby?

If you live in or around the community of Bradenton, FL and are interested in prenatal care, contact Premier OB/GYN today by calling (941) 745-5115. With the help of our doctors, women can enjoy safe monitoring of their pregnancy from start to finish to ensure a healthy delivery at the end of nine months!