Compassionate Obstetrics in Lynchburg, VA
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life and we are excited to share this journey with you and your family. We look forward to making sure you have the best pregnancy and delivery experience by providing you with exceptional and compassionate care. Women’s Health of Central Virginia offers full obstetrics including preconception counseling, on-site lab services, infertility evaluation and treatment, routine pregnancy testing and ultrasound and postpartum care.
Preconception Counseling
Obstetrics starts with making sure you are healthy and ready to conceive a child by visiting your OB/GYN. Women’s Health of Central Virginia of Lynchburg, VA offers preconception counseling for couples ready to start a family. There are many important health topics to discuss with your doctor to ensure that you begin your pregnancy as healthy as possible.
- You will receive a full prenatal examination including a Pap test and blood test. We will check for anemia and immunity to viruses such as rubella and chickenpox.
- We will discuss the risks associated with lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking and suggest ways to control these habits during pregnancy.
- Prenatal vitamins can be started even before you conceive to ensure you have the recommended 400mg of folic acid. Folic acid is an important B vitamin that helps prevent birth defects in your baby’s brain and spinal cord.
- Family history will be collected from you and your partner to assess any genetic risks and possible pregnancy or delivery complications that are familial.
- We will discuss any prescription medications that you currently take to make sure that they are safe for your baby.
- A healthy diet plays a vital role in sustaining a healthy pregnancy. We can discuss nutritious food choices as well as foods that are dangerous to eat during pregnancy.
- Maintaining a moderate fitness level without overdoing offers many benefits during pregnancy and throughout labor and delivery.
- By reviewing your monthly cycle, your doctor can help pinpoint the days when you are most fertile and therefore most likely to conceive. It can take 6 months to a year for healthy couples to conceive.
Prenatal Care
Women’s Health of Central Virginia is excited to partner with you throughout your pregnancy. Regular prenatal visits are essential to monitoring your health as well as the health of your baby. If you have tested positive for pregnancy, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. A typical schedule for prenatal checkups is:
- Months 1 -7 – Appointments every 4-6 weeks
- Months 7 -8 – Appointments every 2-3 weeks
- Month 9 to delivery – Weekly appointments
The schedule for prenatal visits may vary depending on your age or other health-related factors that increase risks for either you or your baby, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
What to Expect During Prenatal Visits
Women’s Health of Central Virginia wants you to feel comfortable and cared for during each visit. Prenatal visits are a good opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your pregnancy. Obstetrics care focuses on keeping you healthy so your body can care for your growing baby. We will always ask how you are doing both physically and emotionally, as well as offer tips on caring for yourself and your growing baby. During the course of pregnancy, your doctor will perform many tests and exams during your prenatal visits, including:
- Determine due date
- Blood pressure
- Weight monitoring
- Urine sample
- Check baby’s heartbeat
- Palpate and measure your belly to check the baby’s size and position
- Pelvic exam with a pap test
- Breast exam
- Ultrasound and doppler scans
- Blood tests
- Glucose screenings
- Group B strep
- Nonstress tests
Labor and Delivery
Obstetrics continues through the birth of your baby. As your due date approaches, we will begin to discuss your birthing plan. Each woman is unique and you may have ideas and expectations about how you will feel most comfortable during your labor and delivery. There is a wide range of birthing options from natural childbirth and low intervention to high-risk management and support. At Women’s Health of Central Virginia, we listen to your desires to help you create the best birth plan for you and your needs. Our providers have the knowledge and experience to guide patients through any issues or medical complications that may arise in your pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Our providers deliver at The Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital Birth Center located in Lynchburg, VA. The Center for Childbirth and Family Education at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital offers a wide variety of classes on childbirth and family needs. Here are additional resources offered by Centra Services:
Postpartum Care
The postpartum period refers to the first 6 weeks after delivery. While you are taking care of your sweet bundle, your body is healing and recovering from 9 months of pregnancy. Your body will go through many changes both physically and emotionally. Immediately after giving birth, you may be physically uncomfortable as the uterus shrinks back down and your breasts begin to produce milk. At Women’s Health of Central Virginia, we will discuss safe medications that you can take to help ease any discomfort. You will also receive postpartum care instructions before leaving the hospital offering tips on how to best care for your healing body. Getting plenty of rest, good nutrition and extra help with household responsibilities can help ease the burden.
At Women’s Health of Central Virginia, we will schedule a postpartum checkup approximately 6 weeks after childbirth. In general, you should slowly start to feel better every day. At your postpartum visit, we will examine you and determine how your body is healing. Rarely, there are postpartum symptoms that should not be ignored. Please call our office at (434) 239-7890 if you are experiencing:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding that soaks more than one pad per hour or any vaginal bleeding that is increasing
- Passing large clots (larger than a quarter)
- Chills or fever of 100.4 or greater
- Fainting or dizziness
- Changes to your vision
- Severe persistent headache
- Heart palpitations, chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- C-section incision is red, swollen or weepy
- Sore breast that are red or feel hot to the touch
- Pain, swelling or redness in your legs
Although complications are rare, it is important to report any of the above symptoms to your doctor as these symptoms can indicate more serious problems.
