Pregnancy care and delivery involve a multi-faceted approach to managing a woman’s health and ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the baby throughout the gestational period. As gynecologists, our role encompasses the entire spectrum of prenatal care, from initial evaluation and ongoing monitoring to labor management and postpartum support. This detailed overview covers the essential components of pregnancy care and delivery, including assessment, management, and patient education.
Medical History: Comprehensive review of the patient’s medical, surgical, and obstetric history. This includes any pre-existing conditions, previous pregnancies, and family history of genetic disorders. Physical Examination: Initial examination to assess general health, determine the estimated due date, and identify any risk factors. Laboratory Tests: Routine tests such as blood work (complete blood count, blood type and Rh factor, screening for infections like HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis) and urinalysis to establish baseline health and identify any potential issues.
Fetal Heart Rate: Assessment of the fetal heart rate to ensure normal development and well-being. Maternal Weight: Monitoring weight gain to ensure it falls within recommended ranges and is appropriate for the patient’s pre-pregnancy weight and overall health. Blood Pressure: Regular checks to screen for hypertension and preeclampsia. Urinalysis: Screening for proteinuria and signs of gestational diabetes or urinary tract infections. Fundal Height Measurement: Measuring the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus to track fetal growth and development.
First Trimester Ultrasound: Confirmation of pregnancy, assessment of gestational age, and evaluation of fetal heart activity. Anatomy Scan (Second Trimester Ultrasound): Detailed examination of fetal anatomy, placenta location, and amniotic fluid levels, usually performed between 18-22 weeks of gestation. Genetic Screening and Diagnostic Tests: Includes options like non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and amniocentesis for detecting chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders.