Prenatal Care Specialist

What are the benefits of having an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds serve several purposes during a pregnancy, including allowing Dr. Roberts to visually see the child as he or she develops. If problems begin to arise, he can quickly take measures to correct them, all the while watching the child's response. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and allow the patient and Dr. Roberts to monitor the child's growth. An ultrasound also offers the parents the option of knowing the child's gender before birth.

Ultrasounds aren’t always necessary but are commonly used to evaluate the child's growth and determine whether or not developmental markers are being met. Ultrasounds have few side effects and are safe for both mother and child.

Why is prenatal care so important?

Prenatal care monitors the health of both the mother and the child; Dr. Roberts can evaluate the mother's overall health and offer both diet and exercise recommendations that will help to eliminate excessive weight gain. He’s also able to closely monitor the baby's development through the use of specific measurements and ultrasounds. Regular prenatal visits also provide Dr. Roberts the ability to observe any abnormalities and offer treatment options as necessary to protect the health of both the mother and the child. Finally, prenatal care allows Dr. Roberts to adequately prepare for any issues that may arise during the delivery, especially if the mother has had previous problems.

What health conditions often occur during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the mother's body goes through many different changes. Not only must it support the new life growing inside of her, her body must also be able to regulate and maintain specific hormone levels. With all of the changes occurring at the same time, several health conditions can arise that only last through the duration of the pregnancy and will quickly subside once the baby has been delivered. For example, women will commonly experience the following during pregnancy:

• Gestational diabetes
• Pregnancy-related hypertension
• Migraines
• Gastrointestinal upset

In most cases, the symptoms associated with each condition will subside within a few days or weeks of the child's birth when the mother's body begins to return to its normal state.