Preparing For Your Visit
Preconception Visit
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Prior to your visit, please obtain medical records regarding prior obstetric or medical events that may be related to why you are coming to see us for a preconception visit. Please send us any pertinent information via fax to 312.695.5462.
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Click here to address common Maternal-Fetal Medicine questions.
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New OB Visit
Prior to your first prenatal visit, please obtain medical records regarding prior obstetric or medical events that may be important to review and discuss with regard to your current pregnancy. Please send us any pertinent information via fax at 312.695.5462.
During your first visit, we will review your medical history and discuss your pregnancy concerns. We will discuss our recommended monitoring and treatment strategies during pregnancy to appropriately manage special medical and obstetrical conditions. Depending on the situation, we may serve as Maternal-Fetal Medicine consultants, serve as primary obstetric providers, or provide "shared care" with your general OB/GYN during your pregnancy. We will work with you and your referring physician(s) to determine our appropriate role to optimize care for you and your pregnancy.
Sign up for NM MyChart and Complete the Pre-check-in Process for Prentice Women's Hospital
We strongly encourage you to sign up for NM MyChart. You will have 24/7 online access to a variety of tools that make accessing your medical records, scheduling appointments, reviewing bills, making payments and requesting prescriptions easier than ever. There is no cost to use NM MyChart and you can sign up online.
It is important to sign up for NM MyChart and complete the pre-check-in process at Prentice Women's Hospital so that any admissions to the Obstetric Triage Unit or labor and delivery will be smooth and seamless.
Pregnancy Ultrasound
An ultrasound is typically performed before or at the time of your first prenatal visit to evaluate your pregnancy and to confirm your due date.
Physical Exam
Cervical Cancer Screening
Based on your age and/or other risk factors, cervical cancer screening with a Papanicolaou test (“pap smear”) and/or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing may be performed.
Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
All pregnant women are screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea early in pregnancy with a vaginal swab. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause complications for you and your fetus. If you have either of these STIs, you will be treated during pregnancy and then tested again to see if treatment has worked.
What Routine Tests Can I Expect During My Pregnancy?
There are a series of routine lab tests that we recommend at your first prenatal visit. For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the links below:
Screening for Pre-Gestational Diabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance
We screen all of our patients with a blood test (called the hemoglobin A1c) at their first prenatal visit. If the result is normal, you will be screened again at 24 to 28 weeks with a one-hour glucose tolerance test.
Influenza ("Flu") Vaccination
We strongly recommend that you receive the influenza vaccine during your pregnancy (if within the influenza season) to protect yourself and your baby. For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the links below:
During your first visit, we will review your medical history and discuss your pregnancy concerns. We will discuss our recommended monitoring and treatment strategies during pregnancy to appropriately manage special medical and obstetrical conditions. Depending on the situation, we may serve as Maternal-Fetal Medicine consultants, serve as primary obstetric providers, or provide "shared care" with your general OB/GYN during your pregnancy. We will work with you and your referring physician(s) to determine our appropriate role to optimize care for you and your pregnancy.
Sign up for NM MyChart and Complete the Pre-check-in Process for Prentice Women's Hospital
We strongly encourage you to sign up for NM MyChart. You will have 24/7 online access to a variety of tools that make accessing your medical records, scheduling appointments, reviewing bills, making payments and requesting prescriptions easier than ever. There is no cost to use NM MyChart and you can sign up online.
It is important to sign up for NM MyChart and complete the pre-check-in process at Prentice Women's Hospital so that any admissions to the Obstetric Triage Unit or labor and delivery will be smooth and seamless.
Pregnancy Ultrasound
An ultrasound is typically performed before or at the time of your first prenatal visit to evaluate your pregnancy and to confirm your due date.
Physical Exam
Cervical Cancer Screening
Based on your age and/or other risk factors, cervical cancer screening with a Papanicolaou test (“pap smear”) and/or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing may be performed.
Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
All pregnant women are screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea early in pregnancy with a vaginal swab. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause complications for you and your fetus. If you have either of these STIs, you will be treated during pregnancy and then tested again to see if treatment has worked.
What Routine Tests Can I Expect During My Pregnancy?
There are a series of routine lab tests that we recommend at your first prenatal visit. For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the links below:
Screening for Pre-Gestational Diabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance
We screen all of our patients with a blood test (called the hemoglobin A1c) at their first prenatal visit. If the result is normal, you will be screened again at 24 to 28 weeks with a one-hour glucose tolerance test.
Influenza ("Flu") Vaccination
We strongly recommend that you receive the influenza vaccine during your pregnancy (if within the influenza season) to protect yourself and your baby. For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the links below:
First Trimester Visits (up to 14 weeks of pregnancy)
Genetic Screening
What are genetic disorders and how can my pregnancy be screened or tested? For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the link below:
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of peripartum depression/blues.
What are genetic disorders and how can my pregnancy be screened or tested? For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the link below:
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of peripartum depression/blues.
Second Trimester Visits (14 to 28 weeks of pregnancy)
Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) Screening
This is a blood test that is typically performed in the second trimester to screen for fetal neural tube defects. This blood test is drawn from you.
Fetal Anatomy Ultrasound
An ultrasound to assess your baby’s anatomy is typically performed at around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes Screening
Screening for gestational diabetes is performed between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the link below:
The initial screening method is a one-hour glucose challenge test (GCT). Like any screening test, the GCT won’t give you a diagnosis. Instead, it’s designed to identify as many women as possible who may have a problem and need more testing to find out.
A positive GCT result does not automatically mean that you have gestational diabetes. In fact, only about one-third of women who test positive on the GCT will actually be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If you test positive on the screening, you will need to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT), a longer, more definitive test that tells you for sure whether you have gestational diabetes.
Instructions on how to prepare for the one-hour GCT and the three-hour GTT.
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of peripartum depression/blues.
This is a blood test that is typically performed in the second trimester to screen for fetal neural tube defects. This blood test is drawn from you.
Fetal Anatomy Ultrasound
An ultrasound to assess your baby’s anatomy is typically performed at around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes Screening
Screening for gestational diabetes is performed between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. For more information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the link below:
The initial screening method is a one-hour glucose challenge test (GCT). Like any screening test, the GCT won’t give you a diagnosis. Instead, it’s designed to identify as many women as possible who may have a problem and need more testing to find out.
A positive GCT result does not automatically mean that you have gestational diabetes. In fact, only about one-third of women who test positive on the GCT will actually be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If you test positive on the screening, you will need to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT), a longer, more definitive test that tells you for sure whether you have gestational diabetes.
Instructions on how to prepare for the one-hour GCT and the three-hour GTT.
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of peripartum depression/blues.
Third Trimester Visits (28 weeks until delivery)
Sign up for NM MyChart and Complete the Pre-check in Process for Prentice Women's Hospital
We strongly encourage you to sign up for NM MyChart. You will have 24/7 online access to a variety of tools that make accessing your medical records, scheduling appointments, reviewing bills, making payments and requesting prescriptions easier than ever. There is no cost to use NM MyChart and you can sign up online.
It is important to sign up for NM MyChart and complete the pre-check in process at Prentice Women's Hospital so that any admissions to the Obstetric Triage Unit or labor and delivery will be smooth and seamless.
Women Who are Rh Factor Negative
Administration of Rh Immunoglobulin (RhoGAM®) is recommended around 28 weeks of pregnancy to prevent Rh alloimmunization.
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis ("Tdap" a.k.a "Whooping Cough") Vaccination
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis ("Tdap") vaccination (27-36 weeks of pregnancy, in each and every pregnancy). It is also recommended that those who will be in close contact with the baby should be up to date with regard to their Tdap vaccination.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening (usually 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, unless you are at increased risk for earlier delivery). For more information, click below, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
Additional Fetal Testing
We may determine together that because of issues during your pregnancy, additional fetal monitoring should be performed to evaluate your pregnancy’s health. This type of testing is usually started at 32 weeks of pregnancy on a weekly basis, or earlier if problems are particularly serious or there are multiple risk factors. For more information, click below, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
HIV and Syphilis Screening
Repeat HIV and syphilis screening in the third trimester are mandated by law in Illinois. For more information, click below, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of peri-partum depression/blues.
Birth Control Options Post-Delivery
The third trimester is a good time to start thinking about your contraception options (also known by birth control) after delivery to prevent pregnancy until you are ready in order to establish a safe amount of time between pregnancies or to ensure your desired family size. For more information, click here.
We strongly encourage you to sign up for NM MyChart. You will have 24/7 online access to a variety of tools that make accessing your medical records, scheduling appointments, reviewing bills, making payments and requesting prescriptions easier than ever. There is no cost to use NM MyChart and you can sign up online.
It is important to sign up for NM MyChart and complete the pre-check in process at Prentice Women's Hospital so that any admissions to the Obstetric Triage Unit or labor and delivery will be smooth and seamless.
Women Who are Rh Factor Negative
Administration of Rh Immunoglobulin (RhoGAM®) is recommended around 28 weeks of pregnancy to prevent Rh alloimmunization.
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis ("Tdap" a.k.a "Whooping Cough") Vaccination
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis ("Tdap") vaccination (27-36 weeks of pregnancy, in each and every pregnancy). It is also recommended that those who will be in close contact with the baby should be up to date with regard to their Tdap vaccination.
- Tdap Vaccination During Pregnancy (PDF, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine)
- Get the Whooping Cough Vaccine While You are Pregnant (PDF, CDC)
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening (usually 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, unless you are at increased risk for earlier delivery). For more information, click below, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
Additional Fetal Testing
We may determine together that because of issues during your pregnancy, additional fetal monitoring should be performed to evaluate your pregnancy’s health. This type of testing is usually started at 32 weeks of pregnancy on a weekly basis, or earlier if problems are particularly serious or there are multiple risk factors. For more information, click below, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
HIV and Syphilis Screening
Repeat HIV and syphilis screening in the third trimester are mandated by law in Illinois. For more information, click below, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of peri-partum depression/blues.
Birth Control Options Post-Delivery
The third trimester is a good time to start thinking about your contraception options (also known by birth control) after delivery to prevent pregnancy until you are ready in order to establish a safe amount of time between pregnancies or to ensure your desired family size. For more information, click here.
Preparing For Delivery
What Can Be Done if my Baby is Breech or Non-Cephalic?
By 37 weeks of pregnancy, if your baby is not in the cephalic (head down) presentation, there are two options. One option is to attempt an external cephalic version procedure which is typically scheduled for after 37 weeks of pregnancy. The other option is to electively plan for a cesarean section. For additional information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the link below:
Instructions for a Scheduled Cesarean Delivery
In preparation for your scheduled cesarean delivery, please find additional information below:
Your physician may instruct you to have blood work done prior to your scheduled surgery. Please get your lab drawn at this location:
Diagnostic Testing Center
Arkes Pavilion
676 N. St Clair Street - Suite 280 (2nd floor)
Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM until noon
312.926.4200
A labor and delivery nurse will call you to go over instructions the day prior to your scheduled surgery, or if your surgery is scheduled on the weekend or on a Monday, you will receive a call on the previous Friday.
Instructions for a Scheduled Induction of Labor
We may discuss medical or non-medical reasons to plan an induction of labor. In preparation of your scheduled induction of labor, please find additional information below:
To learn more about an induction of labor, see the link below from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
By 37 weeks of pregnancy, if your baby is not in the cephalic (head down) presentation, there are two options. One option is to attempt an external cephalic version procedure which is typically scheduled for after 37 weeks of pregnancy. The other option is to electively plan for a cesarean section. For additional information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), see the link below:
- If Your Baby is Breech (PDF)
Instructions for a Scheduled Cesarean Delivery
In preparation for your scheduled cesarean delivery, please find additional information below:
- Cesarean Birth (PDF)
Your physician may instruct you to have blood work done prior to your scheduled surgery. Please get your lab drawn at this location:
Diagnostic Testing Center
Arkes Pavilion
676 N. St Clair Street - Suite 280 (2nd floor)
Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM until noon
312.926.4200
A labor and delivery nurse will call you to go over instructions the day prior to your scheduled surgery, or if your surgery is scheduled on the weekend or on a Monday, you will receive a call on the previous Friday.
Instructions for a Scheduled Induction of Labor
We may discuss medical or non-medical reasons to plan an induction of labor. In preparation of your scheduled induction of labor, please find additional information below:
- Induction (PDF)
To learn more about an induction of labor, see the link below from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
- Labor Induction (PDF)
Postpartum Visit
Discuss Birth Control Options
You should consider your contraception options (also known as birth control) after delivery to prevent pregnancy until you are ready in order to establish a safe amount of time between pregnancies or to ensure your desired family size. For more information click here.
Screening for Postpartum Depression
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of postpartum depression/blues.
Review Immunization Status
We will review your medical record to ensure that you have received all the vaccinations that you need after delivery.
Lactation Support
If you are having difficulties with breastfeeding, we can refer you to a lactation consultant. More information can also be found in the FAQs.
Screening for Diabetes if you had Gestational Diabetes
If you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it is strongly recommended that you are screened again after delivery (6 to 12 weeks postpartum). The 75-gram glucose tolerance test must be performed in a fasting state; thus, we recommend that you schedule your postpartum visit in the morning so that you can have this screening test done on the day of your postpartum visit.
You should consider your contraception options (also known as birth control) after delivery to prevent pregnancy until you are ready in order to establish a safe amount of time between pregnancies or to ensure your desired family size. For more information click here.
Screening for Postpartum Depression
You will receive a questionnaire (called the PHQ-9) to assess your mood and symptoms of postpartum depression/blues.
Review Immunization Status
We will review your medical record to ensure that you have received all the vaccinations that you need after delivery.
Lactation Support
If you are having difficulties with breastfeeding, we can refer you to a lactation consultant. More information can also be found in the FAQs.
Screening for Diabetes if you had Gestational Diabetes
If you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it is strongly recommended that you are screened again after delivery (6 to 12 weeks postpartum). The 75-gram glucose tolerance test must be performed in a fasting state; thus, we recommend that you schedule your postpartum visit in the morning so that you can have this screening test done on the day of your postpartum visit.
