Obstetrics

What is obstetrics?

The obstetrics team at Raveco Medical focuses on the health of women before, during, and after pregnancy. Services include:

• Pre-pregnancy counseling
• Genetic testing
• Prenatal care
• Postpartum care
• Vaginal delivery
• Cesarean section delivery
• High-risk pregnancy care
• Prenatal ultrasounds

Once you think you are pregnant, the experienced OB/GYNs at Raveco Medical have you schedule an appointment at about eight weeks since your last period, at which point they confirm your status. At this first prenatal appointment, the practice establishes a due date and helps put together a care plan for the next nine months.

Your baby is born at either South Nassau Hospital or Forest Hills Hospital.

What is involved in prenatal care?

Prenatal care continues from confirmation of your pregnancy up until you go into labor and deliver your baby. Prenatal care visits usually consist of a check of the baby’s heart rate, periodic ultrasounds to evaluate development and gender, and reviews of mom’s health. Screening tests, like blood tests, blood pressure assessment, and evaluation for gestational diabetes, are also part of prenatal services.

The doctors at Raveco also educate you about nutrition and exercise during pregnancy. They emphasize that a nutritious diet is more important than ever when you’re pregnant and can help you modify your diet to support the optimal health of your baby. If you have any questions about exercise, diet, medications, or other activities, your prenatal visits are a great time to bring them up.

What specialized testing is included in obstetrics care?

At Raveco Medical, you may undergo several important genetic tests. These include tests for:

Trisomies

This blood test screens the fetus for Down’s syndrome and other genetic fetal abnormalities. 

Neural tube defects

Neural tube defects include spina bifida and encephaloceles. These conditions develop when the fetal neural tube does not develop properly. Neural tube defects are identified through ultrasound examination and various alpha-fetoprotein tests.

Genetic abnormalities

BRCA is testing for specific genes that may affect the health or development of your baby.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system, shortening the expected lifespan. Both parents undergo a blood test to determine if they’re carriers of cystic fibrosis. If both parents are carriers, you may undergo an amniocentesis diagnostic test to establish whether or not the baby is affected.

Fetal non-stress testing 

This is a simple, non-invasive test performed in pregnancies after 28 weeks of gestation. The test measures the baby’s movement, heart rate, and reactivity of heart rate are measured for 20-30 minutes.

The test can indicate if the baby is not receiving enough oxygen because of placental or umbilical cord problems; it can also indicate other types of fetal distress.

Call Raveco Medical or book online to schedule an appointment and receive compassionate, patient-centered obstetrics care.