I’m Pregnant
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Whether you’re new to motherhood or you’ve been through the experience before, the women’s health experts at WellSpan OB/GYN are here to help guide and support you through every stage of your pregnancy and assist with the delivery of your new baby. We’ll help you learn everything you need to know, even starting before your first visit!
Scheduling Your First OB Appointment
Like most OB practices, unless you’re experiencing a problem, WellSpan OB/GYN first sees expectant mothers during their eighth week of pregnancy.
The best time to call us to schedule your first appointment is after your period is two-to-four weeks late. To schedule an appointment with WellSpan OB/GYN, please call 570-523-8700.
Meet two of WellSpan Evangelical's midwives
The Importance of Prenatal Care
It’s important for you to begin taking good care of yourself and your developing baby as soon as you know you’re pregnant. This usually begins several weeks before your first OB appointment.
Begin Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Once you know you’re pregnant, you should begin taking a prenatal vitamin that contains:
- Folic acid
- Calcium
- Iron
And, if you aren’t getting enough omega-3 fatty acids or essential fatty acids in your diet, you may want a prenatal vitamin or supplement that contains 200 mg of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Avoid Undercooked Foods
When you’re pregnant, it’s important that you avoid eating undercooked foods, including meat and fish. Raw or undercooked fish and meat can carry parasites and other microbes that could cause potential harm to you or your baby.
Avoid Unpasteurized Dairy Products and Deli Meats
Unpasteurized cheeses and deli meats can carry Listeria, a type of bacteria that can lead to miscarriage or an infection in a developing baby. Although this is very uncommon in the US, we still advise expectant mothers to avoid these foods.
Talk with Your Primary Care Doctor About Any Health Conditions You May Have that Could Affect Your Pregnancy
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, depression, or other chronic health conditions, talk with your doctor. These conditions could affect your pregnancy.
Ask Your Primary Care Doctor About Any Medications You’re Currently Taking
Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications could harm your developing baby. Ask your doctor whether they’re safe to take during your pregnancy. You may need to stop taking certain types of medication altogether, or switch to a different medication, during part or all of your pregnancy.
Avoid Aspirin and Ibuprofen
While you’re pregnant, you should avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.). If you need a pain reliever during your pregnancy, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a safer choice.
Experiencing a Problem? Call us at 570-523-8700.
Please call our office immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Vaginal bleeding that is more than spotting
- Persistent cramping
- Any severe pain
- Fever higher than 101 ⁰F
- Vomiting that prevents fluid intake for more than 24 hours
Your First Visit
Unless you’re experiencing a problem, your first appointment will take place in your eighth week of pregnancy. During this appointment, we’ll:
- Ask questions about your health and habits. This will help us check for issues that could affect your pregnancy. One important question will involve the date of your last period. This information will help us project your baby’s due date.
- Perform a full physical exam, including a pelvic exam
- Do an ultrasound test to confirm your pregnancy and help confirm your baby’s projected due date
- Collect blood and urine samples to perform various tests
- Discuss testing for genetic disorders
We’ll also attempt to answer any questions you may have.
High-Risk Pregnancies
At WellSpan OB/GYN, our women’s health experts are experienced in identifying high-risk pregnancies.
Your pregnancy may be high-risk if you:
- Have a chronic health condition such as diabetes or a heart problem
- Have a history of pre-term labor
- Are older than age 35
- Are carrying more than one baby
- Have other complicating factors that might put you in a high-risk category
We refer high-risk patients to board-certified OB/GYN doctors who have received specialized fellowship training in maternal fetal medicine (MFM). For your convenience, you can schedule your visits with maternal fetal medicine specialists at our Lewisburg office.
Routine Visits and Testing
If you’re healthy and have no complicating risk factors, your OB appointments generally will follow this schedule:
| Number of Weeks Pregnant | Frequency of OB Visits |
| From 8-28 weeks | Visits occur every 4 weeks |
| From 28-36 weeks | Visits occur every 2 weeks |
| From 36 weeks until delivery | Visits occur once each week |
Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll see all of our certified nurse midwives. This will allow you to get to know each of them, and them to get to know you. The midwife on call when it’s time to deliver your baby will be the one to help you through your labor and delivery.
Learn what to expect during your OB visits Learn what to expect during your OB visitsPreparing for Your Labor and Delivery
WellSpan OB/GYN is a hospital-affiliated practice. All of the babies we help deliver are born at The Family Place, the obstetrics unit at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital.A Visit to The Family Place
To help you become familiar with The Family Place, we’ll schedule a time for you to visit the unit about 36 weeks into your pregnancy. While you’re there, you’ll also complete most of the paperwork that we’ll need to admit you to the hospital when it’s time for your baby to arrive.