What an exciting time in your life! Pregnancy brings out the best (and sometimes the worst) in us.You will notice a lot of changes in your body over the next few months, and as a team, we will help you get through it. We have included a schedule of important OB visits. Currently, blood work is collected offsite at corresponding laboratories, depending on your insurance. Pregnancy dating is crucial in providing appropriate care throughout your pregnancy, and for that reason, a dating ultrasound is performed in the office. This is typically done on your first prenatal visit unless you are less than 6 weeks along. Depending on your history, subsequent prenatal appointments will occur every 4 weeks until you reach 30 weeks gestation. At this time, your visits become every 2 weeks until you reach 36 weeks and thereafter, they will be weekly. If you have an underlying medical problem, or develop complications during your pregnancy, you may be referred to maternal fetal medicine specialists for consultation and possible co-management. Genetic screening tests are offered in the first and second trimester. Amniocentesis is also available for those interested, through the Genetics department. Formal dates and anatomy ultrasound is generally done between 18-20 weeks gestation. This is routinely scheduled at the hospital. It is at this appointment that the gender of your baby may be detected, but if it is not, you will just have to do it the old fashioned way by waiting until the baby is born. The goal of this ultrasound is to detect any abnormalities in the baby's anatomy. If any are seen, appropriate follow-up will be arranged. Screening for gestational diabetes takes place between 24 and 28 weeks. If you have a history of gestational diabetes, or a family history of diabetes, you may be tested earlier. At this time, we will also take the opportunity to re-screen for anemia, and repeat viral testing for certain infections. Screening for GBS occurs between 35-37 weeks. EVERYBODY gets screened unless you previously showed high colonization by urine culture during the pregnancy, or you had a prior child affected with GBS infection.