Our contract with United Healthcare is scheduled to end on April 30th, 2024. Unfortunately, after this date, we will no longer be able to accept United Healthcare insurance. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, we recommend contacting your insurance company directly. They can provide more details about your policy and help you understand your options. If you have any questions about how this change will affect your billing, please do not hesitate to contact us at (608) 227-7007.
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Prenatal Care

Physicians for Women - Melius & Schurr Our Services Prenatal Care
Physicians for Women - Melius & Schurr - - Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Physicians for Women - Melius & Schurr

Obstetricians & Gynecologists & Primary Care Physicians located in Madison, WI

Whether you’re starting a family or are already an experienced mom, you want to give yourself and your growing baby the best start. Trust the expertise of Physicians for Women for your prenatal care in Madison, Wisconsin. The team includes board-certified gynecologists with more than 75 years of combined experience. They provide appropriate monitoring and screening tests at every stage of your pregnancy while emphasizing your choice to be cared for by the board-certified obstetricians, Drs. Melius, Schurr, Neuman, Walker, and Piquette, or by the midwives in The Madison Midwives, Christine Kern Steffen, Emily Jalabert, and Kimberly Erickson. Call the office today or request a consultation online to ensure your growing baby’s health.

Prenatal Care Q & A

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is routine, preventive care for moms-to-be to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Regular prenatal care is good for you and your growing baby. 

The team at Physicians for Women schedules your first prenatal care visit when you’re about eight weeks pregnant — typically six weeks from your last menstrual period. An ultrasound to confirm your dates and initial labs will be drawn. We offer first-trimester screening for assessment of Down’s Syndrome at 10 and 12  weeks gestation with additional testing.

When you’re 36 weeks along, you visit Physicians for Women once a week until you give birth. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, expect to see your provider more often.

 

What happens during my prenatal visits?

The team at Physicians for Women closely monitors you throughout your pregnancy. We advise you to eat a nutritional diet and avoid certain medications, alcoholic beverages, and smoking that can harm your growing baby. 

Your prenatal visits change as your pregnancy progresses. During some appointments, you’ll have an ultrasound or bloodwork. On every prenatal visit, you can expect:

  • An accurate weight
  • Blood pressure and urinalysis for protein, ketones, and glucose
  • Listen to fetal heart tones
  • Assess uterine growth 

 

What prenatal tests should I expect?

Physicians for Women schedules a series of tests at our in-office lab to monitor the health of your pregnancy. At your first prenatal visit, your provider recommends the following assessments, among others:

  • Blood count
  • Rubella immunity
  • Blood type and antibody screen
  • Syphilis
  • Gonorrhea/Chlamydia testing
  • Hepatitis B
  • Thyroid function
  • HIV testing
  • Urinalysis

As your pregnancy progresses, you can expect additional tests, such as a msAFP testing for neural tube defects like spina bifida around 16 weeks and screening for gestational diabetes around 28 weeks. 

Additionally, if your blood is Rh-negative, you’ll have an antibody screen and a Rhogam injection around this time. We also recommend patients receive the Tdap booster around 28 weeks according to the recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Are you ready to find out more about helping your growing baby get the best possible start in life? Call Physicians for Women or request an appointment online.

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