Pregnancy Specialist

What are the early warning signs of pregnancy?

When you become pregnant, your body begins producing hormones to support the new life developing inside of you. Those hormones and other bodily changes can cause symptoms, including:

• Missed period
• Fatigue
• Nausea and morning sickness
• Breast tenderness and swelling
• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Frequent urination
• Heartburn

If you think you might be pregnant, stop consuming alcohol and tobacco products and make an appointment to confirm it. At Arizona Women’s Care, you are always under the care of a physician, never a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. 

When should I talk to my doctor about pregnancy?

You should talk to your OB/GYN while you are thinking about getting pregnant. They can help you improve your health, increase your chances of getting pregnant, and having a healthy pregnancy. 

However, if your pregnancy is unplanned, you should schedule an appointment at Arizona Women’s Care as soon as you think you might be pregnant. The team can confirm your pregnancy and begin prenatal care immediately.

How often do I need to see a doctor during pregnancy?

Initially, you need to have monthly prenatal appointments. As your pregnancy progresses, your visits become more frequent. You may also have additional ultrasounds or testing consultations at various times.

Arizona Women’s Care offers in-office pregnancy ultrasounds and an easy-to-use patient portal so you can access your lab results as soon as they’re available. 

Your doctor may suggest more frequent appointments if you have a high-risk pregnancy. High-risk pregnancies are usually healthy and full-term, but you may need extra testing and monitoring to ensure the health of you and your baby.

What makes a pregnancy high-risk?

Many factors can make a pregnancy high-risk. For example, women who are 35 or older and pregnant are considered high-risk. Other factors that make a pregnancy high-risk include:

• Multiple gestations
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes 
• Obesity
• Preeclampsia
• Bleeding or clotting disorders

The doctors at Arizona Women’s Care provide thorough consultations, exams, and testing to evaluate your health and risk during pregnancy. They tailor your prenatal care to address your individual needs. 

What should I do when I begin labor?

When you begin labor, the signs are usually subtle and become progressively more intense as your body prepares to give birth. Stay calm, make sure your hospital bag is ready, and time your contractions. 

You should call your Arizona Women’s Care doctor and head to the hospital when your contractions last at least a minute and have been occurring every five minutes for an hour. 

The OB/GYNs at Arizona Women’s Care deliver their own patients’ babies Monday thru Friday, even if they’re not on call. If you give birth on the weekend and your OB/GYN isn’t on call, another Arizona Women’s Care physician takes care of you. 

Call Arizona Women's Care or schedule an appointment online today for patient-focused pregnancy care.