Finding out you are pregnant can be an exciting and scary moment for any woman. However, with the right obstetrician, you can navigate your pregnancy to keep you and your baby healthy until delivery.
What to Expect
Dr. Ayalon takes his time getting to know his patients and you can be assured that you’ll receive personal, individualized care. At any time, feel free to share your thoughts, concerns, and preferences to Dr. Ayalon and he will listen, answer your questions, and adjust your care when necessary. You can rest easy knowing that your baby will be delivered safely and happily with the most advanced and personal medical care possible.
Pregnancy is a complicated process. To help you understand what’s to come, this general guideline will serve as a reference of what typically occurs in most women during their pregnancies. Counting the weeks of a pregnancy can be done several different ways, but for this guide, we’ll use the gestational age method, which counts day one of the pregnancy as the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. Keep in mind that conception has yet to take place on day one with this method.
There is no straightforward schedule that all pregnancies are expected to follow perfectly. Your pregnancy may differ from this guide’s description and others you’ve been told about. If you experience pregnancy in a different manner, it is not necessarily a problem. If you have any concerns or questions, you should consult with our obstetrician in Tarzana CA as soon as possible.
Healthy pregnancies begin even before you even plan to become pregnant. Here are some tips for preparing your body for future pregnancies. For a more detailed breakdown, check out our preconception health page.
Take Folic Acid:
Folic acid is a B vitamin needed to generate new cells. To prevent any birth defects in your baby, especially to the brain and spine, it is important to have high levels of folic acid in your system to help new cell generation. Brain and spine development occur very early in pregnancy, within the first 28 days, so maintaining the appropriate levels of folic acid in your system can prevent birth defects even before you are aware of your pregnancy. Women who are able to bear children should take 400-800 micrograms of folic acid each day whether they plan to become pregnant or not. Try to take a multivitamin supplement that includes this daily dose of folic acid as well as calcium, iron, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.
Keep Vaccines Up-to-Date and Have Regular Health Screenings:
Every woman should have regular screenings, have regular pap smears, and keep their vaccinations up-to-date, and in pregnancy this is especially important, as your health will affect your baby’s health. Some diseases, including STD’s, can be transmitted to the baby during delivery, so screening for them once you find out you are pregnant can help determine whether a cesarean section may be a better delivery option to prevent transmission of any diseases. This may also determine whether your baby should be immunized at birth.
If you are not immune to rubella and chickenpox, which can cause complications during pregnancy, you should be immunized immediately and not attempt to become pregnant until a month after immunization. Make sure you get the flu shot before pregnancy along with vaccinations for Hepatitis B if you haven’t already.
Manage Health Concerns:
Before pregnancy, it is important to manage health problems like epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, obesity, depression, eating disorders, and asthma. You should always be finding ways to achieve better health like staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and making smarter food choices. If there are any specific pregnancy risks that run in your family, please discuss them with Dr. Ayalon. It is important that you can openly communicate with your doctor about any other health concerns you may have.
For more info on preconception health, call us at 818.654.9312.
Before and during pregnancy is an essential time to receive proper medical care. Prenatal care in Tarzana, CA, will not only provide mothers and mother-to-be with valuable care but will also ensure the health of their babies. When visiting your OB/GYN, it is crucial to understand what to expect during appointments and the benefits of proper medical care.
Prenatal Care in Tarzana, CA
A few things to know about prenatal care include:
- Prenatal care has been proven to reduce the chance of maternal death, miscarriage, and birth defects.
- Your obstetrician in Tarzana, CA can detect and treat any medical problems before complications occur, and refer you to other specialists when necessary.
- If you are considering becoming pregnant or suspect you are pregnant, visit your obstetrician for a healthcare checkup to ensure your child will be healthy. You should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, as some may be harmful to your child’s development and may need to be substituted.
Schedule your prenatal appointment by calling our office at 818.654.9312.