Pregnancy Information

What to Expect at Your First OB Appointment

 

On your first visit, you will see Dr. Abdul-Mbacke (our physician) who will obtain a detailed medical history. Then you will be placed in an exam room where our medical assistant will obtain your vitals.  The physician will then come in and finish your exam as necessary to your healthcare needs. Once the exam is over you will then go to our lab and have your initial prenatal screening labs performed, and then our medical assistant will provide you with information on diet, exercise, medications, and additional testing during pregnancy. You can access most of this information online.

 

You will also see our insurance department at your initial visit. We are pleased to offer claims filing as a service to our obstetric patients. The insurance department will need your complete insurance information prior to this appointment. This includes name of insurance company, identification number on insurance card, policy holder’s name, date of birth, as well as your insurer’s phone number to verify benefits.

 

If you do not have insurance coverage for maternity, payment plans will be established and an agreement contract will be signed.

 

We have provided a list of tests and procedures that you may have during your pregnancy. Not all of these tests are done for every patient; therefore, they are not included in our global fee.

 

Plan to be at our office at least one hour for your first appointment. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out your initial paperwork. If you have any questions prior to your visit, or if you are unable to keep your appointment, please call our office at 276-956-1013.

 

Tests for Obstetric Patients

 

Prenatal Screen
Blood tests to check blood type and exposure and immunity to the same infectious diseases. This will be done on your first visit. The initial blood test includes:



    Syphilis Test:
    As part of prenatal care, all pregnant women undergo a series of blood tests. One of these tests is for syphilis. Due to the recent outbreak of congenital syphilis in Guilford County, our physicians recommend that all pregnant women receive a second syphilis test at 28 weeks. Having this test will enable your physician to give you and your baby better healthcare. Our office is required by law to report all positive tests to the Henry County Department of Public Health. This test will become part of your medical record and the result will be kept completely confidential. Only healthcare providers directly involved in your care will know your result. Your insurance may or may not cover this expense. You will be asked to sign a consent form during your next office visit. Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Test:
    Carrier testing for Cystic Fibrosis is performed on Caucasian patients. If you know that your family has a history of cystic fibrosis please notify the physician. For more information on Cystic Fibrosis Click Here. Sickle Cell Carrier Test:
    Carrier testing for Sickle Cell is performed on African-American patients. If you know that your family has a history of sickle cell please notify the physician. For more information on Sickle Cell Click Here. HIV Antibody Test:
    This test will indicate if your body has formed antibodies to HIV. If you are HIV positive there are medicines that can help prevent you from spreading the disease to your unborn child. We test all pregnant women so that we can provide the best care possible for them and their unborn child. For more information on HIV Antibody testing Click Here. Serum Integrated Test Part 1 & 2:
    The Serum Integrated Test is performed in two stages. The first stage is ideally performed at 10 or 11 weeks of pregnancy, but any time between 10 and 13 weeks is acceptable. The second stage is ideally performed at 15 or 16 weeks of pregnancy and no later than 22 weeks. The Serum Integrated Test is a prenatal screening for Down syndrome and open neural tube defects. For more information on Serum Integrated Test Part 1 & 2 Click Here. ABO and Rh Testing:
    This test determines what blood type you are. ABO determines If your blood type is A, B, O or AB. The Rh test determines if you are negative or positive. This is an important part of your prenatal screening. For more information on ABO and Rh testing Click Here. Rhogam and Antibody Screen:
    If you have Rh negative blood, you will be tested for antibodies to Rh positive blood. These can harm the baby if it has Rh positive blood. You will be given Rhogam at 28 weeks and after the baby is born if the baby is Rh positive. This will suppress your immune system to prevent antibodies from being made that may harm the fetus in this and future pregnancies. Toxoplasmosis Titer:
    If you have cats, you could have an infection that is spread by cats and has been related to congenital abnormalities in the fetus. This test checks for the presence of antibodies. If you have cats, you are susceptible to toxoplasmosis. Please do not change the litter box. Let another family member do this job for you. Also keep cats out of your face. Wash your hands after petting any cat. Wear gloves if you work outside in your yard and you have stray cats or neighborhood cats. Testing is available for this infection. Nuchal Translucency:
    This is an ultrasound that is performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. This type of ultrasound can help to detect Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormality in early pregnancy. If this is abnormal we will recommend further testing. It is an abdominal ultrasound; unless the picture is not clear then the ultrasound tech will try vaginally. For further information on nuchal translucency Click Here. Screening Sonogram (Comprehensive):
    Ultrasound is done routinely at 18-20 weeks gestational age as a physical assessment of the baby’s anatomy. Specifically looking at the heart, bladder, kidneys, extremities and to confirm due date. Our practice policy prohibits videotaping during ultrasound and only 2 other adults are allowed in the room with patient approval. DVDs or CD’s showing your unborn baby are available for purchase. One-hour Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT):
    The GTT is a blood screening test for diabetes during pregnancy. This test is usually given routinely at 28 weeks or earlier if you had diabetes in previous pregnancies. Three-hour Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT):
    The Three-hour Glucose Test is given only if you’re One-hour Glucose Tolerance Test result is abnormal. If this test indicates that you have gestational diabetes, you will need treatment (usually a special diet) and closer observation for the rest of your pregnancy. GB Strep Testing:
    Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This test is performed during the 35- 36th week of pregnancy. The test is performed in the office and the physician uses a swab to swab the vagina and then the swab is sent to the lab. For more information on GB strep testing Click Here. Biophysical Profile:
    This test uses ultrasound to evaluate the status of the fetus by measuring several factors including: spine and body movement, limb movement, amniotic fluid volume, fetal weight, and breathing. Non-stress Test (NST):
    Non-stress test will assess the fetal heart rate in response to activity and spontaneous contractions graded as reactive and non-reactive. If the NST is non-reactive, it may be followed by a physical profile or a contraction stress test that will assess the baby’s response to indicated contractions. If you are diabetic, these are done weekly late in the pregnancy. They are also done if you are past due or notice a decrease in normal fetal movement.