Prenatal Care

Prenatal Care in Los Angeles

Prenatal care will help ensure that you and your baby are healthy during your pregnancy. In fact, babies of mothers who do not have prenatal care are five times more likely to die than those born to mothers with prenatal care. You should contact your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant so you can initiate your care during the first trimester.

The goals of prenatal care are:

  • To track proper fetal growth and development
  • To optimize your health through disease detection and prevention
  • To address proper nutrition and supplements to ensure appropriate weight gain
  • To encourage regular physical activity during pregnancy

For an uncomplicated pregnancy, you will see the doctor on the following schedule:

  1. From first trimester to 28 weeks: every 4 weeks
  2. From 28 – 36 weeks: every 2 weeks
  3. From 36 weeks until delivery: weekly

At each prenatal visit, your doctor will assess your and your baby’s health by:

  • Checking your blood pressure
  • Checking your urine for protein
  • Monitoring your baby’s heart rate
  • Measuring your abdomen to make sure the baby is growing appropriately
  • Measuring your weight gain

During the last few months of pregnancy, your doctor will discuss your plans for your birth and help guide you in discovering what is best for you and your baby.