Prenatal Care Specialist
Casa de Salud
Primary Care Physicians located in Downtown & Adams Normandie, Los Angeles, CA
For all your prenatal care needs, Casa de Salud is here to help. At the practice, Los Angeles patients can receive their necessary exams and testing throughout their pregnancies. Patients can visit locations on East Washington Boulevard and South Vermont Avenue.
Prenatal care Q&A
What is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care is healthcare provided for pregnant women. If you are pregnant, or think you could be, call the doctor to schedule an exam. The doctor will schedule many exams throughout your pregnancy.
Why do I Need Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care assists in keeping you and your child healthy. Babies of mothers who do NOT receive prenatal exams are three times more likely be born with a low birth weight, and five times more likely to die, than those who do. The physician can identify health issues early when mothers have regular exams. Doctors can also discuss what the mother can do to provide their unborn child with a healthy start.
How often should I see my doctor during pregnancy?
The doctor will provide you with a schedule of all exams you will need. Most experts recommend that women see the doctor:
- Once a month between weeks 4 and 28
- Twice a month between weeks 28 and 36
- Every week from week 36 to delivery
If women are older than 35 or have a high risk pregnancy, they will most likely need to see the doctor more frequently.
What happens during prenatal visits?
During the first prenatal exam, expect the doctor to:
- Ask about health and family history including operations, diseases, or prior pregnancies
- Perform a physical exam including a pelvic exam and Pap smear
- Take a blood and urine sample
- Record blood pressure, height, and weight
- Estimate the due date
- Answer any questions
During the initial exam, you should ask questions about any issues or concerns related to the pregnancy. Later prenatal exams are usually shorter. The doctor will assess your health and make sure the baby is developing properly. Most prenatal exams will now include:
- Monitoring blood pressure
- Measuring weight gain
- Measuring the abdomen
- Monitoring the baby's heart rate
While you are pregnant, you will continue to have routine tests such as blood tests to check for anemia, blood type tests, HIV testing, etc. Depending on your age, personal and family health history, ethnic background. Depending on the results from stated tests, other testings may be performed.
Insurance Accepted
Here is a short list of the insurance providers we accept. Please call the office with any questions.