Pregnancy & Childbirth

What is an obstetrician?

An obstetrician is a doctor with specialist qualifications in delivering babies and providing medical care to women during pregnancy and after the birth. At Moran & Haag-Rickert OBGYN, we have the skills to manage complex or high-risk pregnancies and births, and can perform interventions and caesareans.

If you are planning a family, whether you already have children or not, Moran & Haag-Rickert OBGYN has compassionate professionals who are experienced in family planning and can help you along the exciting journey of starting or expanding a family. 

Your obstetrician's role in pregnancy

At Moran & Haag-Rickert OBGYN, we will do your antenatal check-ups which include:

• Check your baby's growth and position
• Conduct or refer you for routine tests and checks
• Help you prepare for labor and birth
• Perform in office ultrasounds

What to expect during pregnancy

First visit

• calculating how many weeks your pregnancy is and when your due date will be. You may be offered an ultrasound scan if the date is not clear.
• blood pressure, height and weight
• medical and family history
• a blood test, including checking your blood group and test for anemia, rubella immunity, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV
• urine test, to see if you have a bladder or urinary tract infection
• screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities
• cervical screening to check for human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or any signs of cervical cancer
• As part of your check-up, you will usually also discuss with your doctor or midwife:
• which medications you are taking
• whether you smoke or drink alcohol
• whether you would like an influenza (flu) & COVID vaccination
• which vitamin and mineral supplements you can take or should avoid

10-20 weeks

• blood pressure and urine test
• measuring your tummy (abdominal palpation) to check your baby's growth
• checking how your health is and if there are any problems
• ultrasound scans to check your baby's physical development, growth and any complications with your pregnancy. If you want to, during the ultrasound, you can find out whether the baby is a boy or girl.

21-28 weeks

• blood pressure and urine test
• measuring your tummy (abdominal palpation) to check baby's growth
• checking how your health is and if you have any problems
• checking your baby's heartbeat and movements
• discussing your birth plan and going home with your baby
• education on the importance of breastfeeding
• blood test to check for anemia and gestational diabetes
• if your blood type is Rh negative, an anti-D immunoglobulin injection may be given
• pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination
• education on child birthing classes and hospital tours

30-36 weeks

• blood pressure and urine test
• measuring your tummy (abdominal palpation) to check your baby's growth
• checking how your health is and if you have any problems
• checking your baby's heartbeat and movements
• vaginal swab for Group B streptococcus (GBS)
• assessing presentation (which way up your baby is) and station (how far down the baby's head has moved into your pelvis)

37-41 weeks

• blood pressure and urine test
• measuring your tummy (abdominal palpation) to check your baby's growth
• checking how your health is and if you have any problems
• checking your baby's heartbeat and movements
• assessing presentation and station
• education on labor & delivery
• if you haven’t had your baby yet, checking your baby’s heartbeat and the amount of fluid around them

Labor & Delivery

• our doctors and nurses will support you through your labor
• our goal is to help you achieve a healthy and safe delivery
• we will continue to provide on going care in the months after delivery