What is an obstetrician?
In the simplest of terms, an obstetrician specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. What’s not so simple is the scope of care involved in helping you deliver your child as safely as possible. Dr. Halfon guides you every step of the way, ensuring both the health of you and your baby.
While some obstetricians only handle matters related to delivery, as an OB/GYN, Dr. Halfon also practices gynecology, which encompasses your ongoing reproductive health regardless of whether or not you’re pregnant.
By covering both areas, Dr. Halfon understands your reproductive health better. When you’re ready to have children, Dr. Halfon keeps your medical background in mind, allowing him to provide the best possible care for you and your baby.
What is prenatal care?
Since a large part of Dr. Halfon’s job as an obstetrician is to look after the health of both you and your baby during your pregnancy, he accomplishes this through comprehensive prenatal care.
Prenatal care ensures that your baby meets critical developmental milestones and that your pregnancy progresses without problems.
Prenatal care begins the moment you decide you want to get pregnant. Once you’ve made that decision, Dr. Halfon performs a physical examination and recommends lifestyle changes and supplements to boost your chances of conceiving.
Once you receive the good news, prenatal care kicks into high gear and includes:
- Regular checkups throughout your pregnancy
- Regular testing and imaging, such as blood work and ultrasounds
- Medication monitoring
- Supplement and nutrition recommendations
One of the most significant advantages of good prenatal care is that Dr. Halfon can spot potential risks or problems and monitor them throughout your pregnancy. This preventive care is invaluable in catching and addressing issues before they potentially threaten you or your baby.
How often should I see Dr. Halfon while I’m pregnant?
If you don’t fall into a high-risk category, Dr. Halfon recommends the following schedule:
- Once a month between weeks 4 and 28
- Twice a month between weeks 28 and 36
- Weekly after 36 weeks until the birth
If something crops up during your pregnancy, you and Dr. Halfon may decide that you should check in more regularly.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy isn’t necessarily something to fear. Women often fall into this category for simple, non-life-threatening reasons, such as:
- You’re over 35
- You’re carrying more than one child
- You’ve previously had a cesarean section
In other cases, a health condition or disease may place you into this category, such as:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Multiple miscarriages
- Blood disorders
Whatever the issue, a high-risk pregnancy means you can count on seeing Dr. Halfon more often for vigilant monitoring.
To ensure your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible, call Isaac Halfon MD Obstetrics and Gynecology or book an appointment online.
