Office Visit Schedule
On every routine OB visit we will check weight, blood pressure, urine dip, fetal heart tones, and fundal height (the size of the uterus).
There may be extra visits for special problems (high risk conditions like diabetes). Care for problems such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and upper respiratory infections can be provided, but must be billed separate from the OB care.
Fathers and children are encouraged to accompany mom for the visits, but please make arrangements for children at appointments where you need an exam or culture done. A female doctor cannot be guaranteed at every visit or for deliveries.
- 8 weeks: Initial history, Pelvic exam only
- 12 weeks: Full history, Full exam with pap test, Labs referral given
- 16 weeks: Alpha-Fetoprotein Test discussed, 20 wk Level 2 sonogram referral given
- 20 weeks: Review sonogram, Discuss birthing classes
- 24 weeks: Instructions for glucola test, to be done at 28 wk visit
- 28 weeks: Lab done or referral given for glucola test, CBC, antibody screen if needed. Rhogam shot arranged for RH-negative moms, birth Plan Guide handed out
- 32 weeks: Discuss labs, Pre term labor info, Discuss birth plan (does not need to be written)
- 34 weeks: Group B Strep culture (GBS), Preadmission for hospital
- 36 weeks: Review GBS result
- 37 weeks: Discuss NFP
- 38 weeks: Cervical check if needed or desired
- 39 weeks: Cervical check if needed or desired
- 40 weeks: Cervical check if needed or desired
- 41 weeks: Non-Stress Test, Check of amniotic fluid amount, discuss scheduling induction
- 42 weeks: Non-Stress Test, Check of amniotic fluid amount, Induction by end of 42 weeks
Your 24 Week OB Appointment
Congratulations! Welcome to your 24 week OB appointment. While there are no blood tests today, there will be at the 28 week visit. If you like, you may have those blood tests done at your appointment. We suggest a morning appointment if you choose to do that. If it is more convenient, we can give you a lab order to have them done at a laboratory close to you that your insurance accepts. These tests include:
- Complete Blood Count, or CBC (everyone): Tests for anemia and your need for iron.
- 1 Hour Glucola (everyone): Tests for gestational diabetes. Although this is not a fasting test, we find it is wise not to eat sugary foods beforehand (i.e. fruit juice, soda, candy, breakfast cereals, doughnuts, syrup or jelly, etc.). Then when you arrive here you will be given a sugar drink. However, eating something - particularly a protein-rich food such as eggs, cheese, or meat - before or after the test may help prevent some lightheadedness or "wooziness" that can occur after drinking the Glucola. Your blood will be drawn one hour later. Bring something to read.
- If you are Rh-negative: you will be given special instructions and an order sheet to have the appropriate blood test and receive the Rhogam injection at Fair Oaks Diagnostic Center next to the hospital, or another hospital closer to your home.
We at the Tepeyac Family Center hope this helps to make your life a little easier during these busy days before your baby arrives. As always, we will keep you, our patients, in our prayers.
If you have additional questions, please ask to speak with a nurse. Our triage nurse phone number is 703-273-9440 ext. 118.