Obstetricians In Chicago,

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times in a woman's life and we look forward to bringing babies into this world every day. Choosing the best obstetricians in Chicago allows a mother-to-be to relax and enjoy the experience knowing she is in the best hands possible. A specialized obstetrician can make the childbirth experience pleasant, relaxed, and safe. Our practitioners will see you through prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care.

Obstetrics Care at Northwestern Women's Health Associates includes:

• Preconception Read More The first step in obstetrics care at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates is a preconception evaluation. The preconception evaluation gives our providers the opportunity to optimize the patient’s health before a pregnancy. Providing preconception care allows us to reduce the risk of adverse health effects for both the woman and the fetus during pregnancy. The majority of pregnancies have successful outcomes for both mother and baby, however the opportunity to evaluate the health of the patient and provide prenatal guidance before a pregnancy fully optimizes a women’s health. At this visit, we will screen for any genetic or family risks. We will optimize your health and medicines. We will discuss timing to best allow a successful pregnancy
• Risk Assessment
• Education
• Guidelines for Pregnancy
• Discussion of Pain Management During Labor
• Labor and Delivery
• Genetic Testing
• Your Third Trimester To-Do List
• Genetic Screening Options

What to Expect During Prenatal Care:

We like to see expectant mothers for the first time at 7-10 weeks gestation. In a normal pregnancy, you will have appointments with an obstetrician every 4 weeks. Then every other week at 30 weeks gestation, and every week during the last month. Your provider will collect all of your health history, make sure that you have access to prenatal vitamins, and write a prescription if necessary. During your first trimester visits you can expect blood work, ultrasound, urine analysis, and a pap smear if necessary, and your physician will listen to the fetal heart tones of your baby.

During the second trimester, appointments continue every 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, additional screenings will be offered and you will have the opportunity to see your baby again during the 20 week ultrasound.

During the third trimester, appointments become more frequent and you can expect to see your practitioner every 2-3 weeks. It is during the third trimester that you will be tested for gestational diabetes and group B strep. We will determine the fetal position of your baby by 36 weeks. As your due date approaches, your provider will talk to you about the signs of labor and may begin checking your cervix shortly before your due date. A normal pregnancy is considered full term at 40 weeks. However, we may let the pregnancy go for up to 42 weeks as long as fetal monitoring is reassuring.

There are some pregnancies that require closer attention. At Northwestern Women's Health Associates, we keep a close eye on our patients for any sign of distress or irregularities during pregnancy. If you have what is considered a high-risk pregnancy, this requires a slightly different care structure and potentially more frequent visits and ultrasounds. Our providers are highly skilled in high-risk pregnancies and we will provide the support you need every step of the way.

What to Expect During the Delivery:

When you choose our obstetrics services in Chicago your baby will be delivered at Northwestern Memorial / Prentice Women's Hospital with the assistance of one of our caring and skilled providers. During your hospital stay we will check on you and help answer all of your questions following labor and delivery.

What to Expect From Postnatal Care:

After you return home from the hospital, we will schedule an appointment for 6 weeks post-delivery. This appointment is set up to tend to your current health needs and ensure that everything is healing well after delivery. If you had a c-section delivery your postnatal care schedule will be slightly different.

At Northwestern Women's Health Associates we understand that having a baby is a big adjustment. The postnatal appointment gives us an opportunity to focus on your health as a new mother and make sure your health care needs are being met.

Experienced Obstetricians in Chicago

Our Chicago Obstetricians are well experienced in handling all types of women’s health issues related to pregnancy. Our office is equipped with the latest technologies to perform diagnosis and treatment of general, as well as complicated pregnancies. Our Obstetricians employ different treatments and checkups depending on the exact nature of the problem the patient is facing. We tailor prenatal care and preventative measures to your needs. Our providers are here to answer all of your questions before, during and after labor and delivery.

Some of the more specific pregnancy circumstances our obstetricians take care of during pregnancy are:

• Twin Gestation
• Gestational Diabetes Read More
  Northwestern Women’s Health Associates’ Chicago obstetrics is well experienced in handling all types of women’s health issues related to pregnancy such as, gestational diabetes.
  
  

  What is Gestational Diabetes?

  Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an intolerance to carbohydrates that develops or is detected during pregnancy. This pregnancy-related condition may develop when the body makes insufficient amounts of insulin. When insulin is lacking, there is a natural rise in blood glucose, or blood sugar, to higher than normal levels. Between 2 and 10% of pregnancies develop gestational diabetes.
  
  

  Why is Early Detection Necessary?

  Prompt recognition and treatment of gestational diabetes is vital to a healthy pregnancy and baby. This condition is associated with increased maternal, fetal and neonatal risks.
  
  

  Is Screening Necessary for Everyone?

  The Northwestern Women’s Health Associates' Chicago obstetrics team encourages their obstetrics patients to undergo the recommended screening for gestational diabetes. The early identification and treatment of this condition can significantly improve the likelihood of a complication-free pregnancy.
  
  Possible Complications
  • Gestational diabetes may lead to weight gain in the fetus. A weight of greater than 9 lbs increases the risk of injury to baby or mother during delivery, and increases the potential need for c-section.
  • Preeclampsia.
  • Babies having breathing problems, low glucose levels, and jaundice.
  
  

  Diagnosis

  The diagnosis of gestational diabetes used to be based on a glucose measurement, obtained after fasting, during a glucose tolerance test.
  
  Northwestern Women’s Health Associates S.C. is a medical practice in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN). We are equipped with the latest technologies in Obstetrics in Chicago and these tools help us diagnose and treat both regular and complicated pregnancies. The best OBGYN providers at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates leave no stone unturned to make the childbirth experience pleasant, relaxed and safe.
• Advanced Maternal Age Read More The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines advanced maternal age as any pregnancy in a woman who is over 35 years old. Women are born with a fixed number of eggs in their ovaries. Over the years the number of eggs decreases and are harder to become fertilized. At the age of 32 fertility in women begins to decrease and When a women reaches 40, the decrease in fertility is more rapid. Women who are 35 are more likely to have existing conditions such as high blood pressure that can complicate a pregnancy. The risk of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, diabetes, gestational diabetes, multiple pregnancy, and preeclampsia are all more likely in an advanced maternal age pregnancy.
  
  Genetic testing for Down’s syndrome is offered for all pregnancies. Since the risk continues to increase after age 35, we offer more sensitive testing which can include Amniocentesis, CVS, or maternity 21.
  
  Becoming pregnant over the age of 35 is very common today, however, due to the increased risk of complications it is extremely important to make sure you prepare for the pregnancy with a preconception evaluation. Other ways you can prepare for an advanced maternal age pregnancy include:
  • Healthy diet
  • Regular exercise and weight loss, if you are considered overweight.
  • Daily folic acid supplements
  • Stopping all tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug use.
  If you are over the age of 35 and considering becoming pregnant, contact Northwestern Women’s Health Associates today! We can get you in for a preconception evaluation and help you prepare for a successful advanced maternal age pregnancy.

• Postpartum Depression Read More
  After childbirth is over, your providers at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates are still very committed to your mental and physical health.
  
  Approximately 2-3 days after childbirth some women may start to feel depressed or anxious. These feelings may include anger at loved ones including a partner and new baby. Difficulty sleeping and eating as well as frequent crying may also impact the new mom. During this early time these feelings are often referred to as postpartum blues. These feelings can come and go but without treatment, postpartum blues can turn into postpartum depression in 1-2 weeks.
  
  Postpartum depression often presents itself 1-3 weeks after childbirth. However it can occur up to 1 year after having a baby. The causes of postpartum depression include, changes in hormone levels, fatigue, emotional distress, lifestyle changes and a history of depression.
  
  At Northwestern Women’s Health Associates you will have a postpartum checkup scheduled after childbirth, however if you, your partner or your family, think you may have postpartum depression, it is important to see your provider as soon as possible. Your provider can help evaluate you and provide solutions to help treat postpartum depression.
  
  
• Medications During Pregnancy

Northwestern Women’s Health Associates helps you achieve optimal health by giving you care and treatment. Our Obstetricians work to build a healthy relationship with our patients to ensure they receive the best possible care to lead a healthy life. We also provide gynecology consultation in Chicago.

Request an Obstetrics Appointment in Chicago Today

If you are looking for an Obstetrician in Chicago, Request an Appointment or call us at 1-312-440-9400.