Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a magical time in your life, but both you and your baby need extra care and support to ensure a healthy delivery. Dr. David W. Foulk and his team of specialists at Marion OB/GYN Inc. in Marion, Ohio, are with you every step of the way, from your first healthy-mother visit to the moment when you hold your precious newborn. If you’re pregnant — or are hoping to become pregnant soon — and you live in the Marion, Ohio, area, call Dr. Foulk.

What should I do when I find out I’m pregnant?

Marion OB/GYN Inc. happily welcomes you during this precious time in your life. As soon as you become pregnant, you should call Dr. Foulk with your exciting news and schedule an appointment to begin your prenatal care.

Dr. Foulk and his skilled team of OB/GYN experts use their years of experience to guide you toward a healthy and happy delivery.

What are the goals of prenatal care?

Prenatal care ensures the safety of both you and your baby during your 40 weeks of pregnancy. The team at Marion OB/GYN Inc. helps you understand your new nutritional needs and provide you with a dietary plan that guides you to gain an appropriate amount of weight.

The team also monitors your baby’s growth during each regularly scheduled visit. At various stages of pregnancy, the OB/GYN specialist tests you and your baby for diseases and infections, so that they can be prevented or controlled.

What happens on my first visit?

During your first visit, an OB/GYN expert gives you a thorough physical examination and goes over your medical and family history. You’ll also need to provide a urine sample, which is tested for protein levels, and a blood sample, to evaluate your health and identify potential areas that need improvement.

If you aren’t already taking a prenatal vitamin to protect your baby from neural tube defects, your specialist recommends one that contains at least 1000 mcg of folic acid. Dr. Foulk or another team member then administers a series of tests that are repeated at each of your regularly scheduled visits, including:

• Blood pressure check
• Weight check
• Abdomen measurements
• Fetal heart tone Dopplers

What if my pregnancy is abnormal?

Dr. Foulk and the OB/GYN team at Marion are trained in all aspects of obstetrics, including those that are high-risk. The team handles multiple births, mothers with serious medical conditions, babies at risk for serious conditions, and other situations that may present complications. The office provides state-of-the-art diagnostics, such as:

• Early viability ultrasounds
• Peek-A-Boo gender ultrasound
• Detailed 3D /4D Anatomy Ultrasounds
• Non-stress Test
• Biophysical profile scans
• Cord Doppler measurements
• Cystic fibrosis carrier screens
• Genetic fetal screens

These tests are used to identify any problems with your pregnancy and help treat them before any harm comes to mom or baby.

Give your pregnancy a healthy start by contacting Dr. Foulk and his team at Marion OB/GYN Inc. as soon as you get the good news. You can call today to make an appointment.