Prenatal care
Pregnancy is a special time, and it requires specialized prenatal care. We're here to keep you and your child healthy throughout your pregnancy. Prenatal services may include checkups, nutritional supplements and childbirth education.
Prenatal care clinic in Wichita
For your health and the health of your baby, you should start prenatal care early in your pregnancy.
Even though pregnancy is a normal body process, it produces many changes in your body. Early and regular care can often prevent or minimize problems for you or your body. The compassionate team of obstetricians (OBs) and skilled support staff across the Wesley Care Physician medical group strives to offer a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience, whether this is your first baby or your last.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Pregnancy symptoms
Symptoms experienced during pregnancy vary from person to person. However, common symptoms many women report include:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Backache
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Fainting/dizziness
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Heartburn
- Hemorrhoids
- Morning sickness
- Nosebleeds/bleeding gums
- Shortness of breath
- Varicose veins and swollen feet
You and your support partner or family should be mindful of any other potential symptoms you experience. Please call your doctor immediately if you have:
- Contractions every to 10 to 15 minutes that are not relieved by walking
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Generalized swelling all over your body
- Persistent headaches
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding
Prenatal services we offer
From the moment you find out you're pregnant to the days leading up to your delivery, our team is here with you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on offering full-service obstetric care, which is why we provide consistent prenatal education throughout every trimester and also encourage:
Antenatal testing
Antenatal testing is special testing done to make sure everything is going well on the inside of the womb for your baby. At WesleyCare Physicians, our team performs:
- Sonograms — A sonogram scans your abdomen using sound waves to determine your baby's position, whether you have multiples, how far along you are in your pregnancy, show birth abnormalities and how your baby is growing, and sometimes, tell the sex of your baby.
- Non-stress tests — If you have diabetes, a high-risk pregnancy condition or have noticed decreased movement in your baby, you may undergo a non-stress test. During this, a fetal heart monitor is placed on your abdomen with an elastic belt, and a nurse takes your blood pressure and monitors the baby's heartbeat and movements. Your physician interprets the results and evaluates the safety of the baby inside your uterus.
- Biophysical profiles — Using a sonogram, a biophysical profile shows how much your baby is moving and stretching, evaluates breathing movements and how much fluid is around your baby.
- Amniocentesis — An amniocentesis is a special test performed on the fluid surrounding your baby. When done early in the pregnancy, it can detect genetic problems. It can also determine whether you have Rhesus disease, if the baby's lungs are mature, or if your baby needs to be delivered early in case of specific problems.
Childbirth education classes
Being pregnant, especially for the first time, can make many women a bit nervous. Through our childbirth education classes, we aim to help women and their support partners feel more confident throughout the entire process. We offer special Lamaze classes for our patients and classes focusing on childbirth, infant care and parenting.
Pelvic floor exercises
The pelvic floor muscles are significant muscles of support and can sometimes stretch and tear during childbirth. Like our tummy or abdominal muscles, the pelvic floor muscles need to be exercised to remain strong. Our team recommends pregnant women perform Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor to aid labor and delivery.
Benefits of prenatal care
Having regular and early prenatal care improves your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. The following are some of the many benefits to having quality prenatal care:
- Catches potential concerns early
- Reduces the risk of pregnancy and birth complications
- Keeps track of the baby's development
- Ensures you take the necessary vitamins for you and your baby
- Helps you adequately prepare for the birthing process
Your first prenatal visit
Your first prenatal visit takes longer than others because our team aims to understand your health comprehensively. We also offer you resources to help you and your child stay healthy throughout the process. We want you to have the confidence you need for a successful pregnancy through a complete medical history evaluation and physical examination, laboratory tests and childbirth education classes.
After your first prenatal visit, our team evaluates you periodically for gestational diabetes and anemia and discusses your plan of care and any potential changes.
What to bring to the hospital for childbirth
Several weeks before your due date, it is a good idea to pack a small bag with the items you will need at the hospital. You will want to bring the following:
- Bathrobe
- Nightgown
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Comb and brush for your hair
- Cosmetics, deodorant and other toiletries
- Clothing for the baby to wear home and a blanket
It is essential to plan how you will get to the hospital. Usually, this is an exciting time, and phone numbers are quickly forgotten. Keep the hospital and your care team's phone numbers written down and kept in a visible spot.
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