Prenatal Care in Jacksonville

Many questions run through your brain when you think of trying to conceive or see that plus sign on the stick. Figuring out prenatal care is always one of them! So, let’s just get right to business shall we!

When to start prenatal care..

Generally you will discover your pregnancy when you have a missed period which puts most around 4 weeks along. Get a good prenatal vitamin going and some ginger snaps for the morning sickness that already has you barfing your guts out ( I know…how fun). Then you will want to establish care with a Midwife or Obstetrician around 9 weeks gestation. But doing this can be daunting given the 92889752386487 options for prenatal care in Jacksonville. You will want to contact a few and determine if they will be supportive of your desired birth as well as if they accept your insurance plan. See a list of local Jacksonville providers we recommend HERE.

What to expect at your first visit..

Most of your first prenatal visit will be about paperwork, confirming & establishing a healthy pregnancy and estimating your due date. If you enjoy urinating in a cup (& by ‘in’ I mean, all over the outside of it & then trying to make it look like you didn’t have the aim of a 3 year old boy), having an internal ultrasound and pelvic exam performed (oh joy)… then you will be in for a treat! LOL I mean, I’m serious, but it’s pretty comical in my book.

That is until you see that sweet little peanut on the screen and hear the most precious sound on earth, your baby’s heartbeat!!! Then all the urine and dollar bills it cost just to walk in that office won’t matter anymore.

A typical prenatal care schedule..

• Weeks 4 to 28 of pregnancy =one checkup every 4 weeks (once a month)

• Weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy =one checkup every 2 weeks (twice a month)

• Weeks 36 to 42 of pregnancy =one checkup every week (once a week)

  Expect a few extra appointments mixed in throughout your pregnancy for bloodwork, gestational diabetes screening, a possible extra ultrasound or NST(non-stress test). If at any time you have questions about your prenatal care, discuss those with your care provider. Keep an open line of communication and don’t be afraid to ask for current evidence based research on what should be standard.

  These things will vary a bit according to your overall health prior to and during pregnancy. So keep an open mind to learning and doing some evidence based research of your own. Evidence Based Birth is a great place to start! You will want to be an active member of a shared decision making model of care. After all, it’s your body and your baby! For more on providers in your area of Jacksonville, see our resource list.

  Best wishes!