Prenatal Care
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Westlake Women's Health Specialists
Stephanie Mandelman, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology located in Westlake Village, CA
Prenatal care is an essential part of your pregnancy experience where you receive support and screenings that ensure the health of you and your growing baby. Stephanie Mandelman, MD, and the team at Westlake Women's Health Specialists in Westlake Village, California, provide the highest standard of prenatal care, ensuring you receive the compassion, education, and treatments necessary to guide you through pregnancy. If you’ve just learned that you’re pregnant, it’s time to make an appointment. Book an appointment online today.
When should I seek prenatal care?
You should seek prenatal care at Westlake Women’s Health Specialists the moment you believe you’re pregnant. Getting early and regular prenatal care keeps you and your growing baby healthy. You also learn how you can create the healthiest environment for your baby during pregnancy.
You can avoid complications such as low birth weight and premature demise when you have expert prenatal support. Dr. Mandelman can detect health problems in you or your baby early on if you’re seen regularly. Early treatment can prevent the escalation of any serious complications.
What does prenatal care entail?
Prenatal care helps keep you and your baby healthy throughout pregnancy. Prenatal care entails:
- Regular checkups to review the health of both you and your baby
- Nutritional support, including recommendations about prenatal vitamins
- Exercise recommendations
- Tests to evaluate your baby’s growth process
- Evaluations to check for health complications, such as high blood pressure or infections
You can also discuss your personal questions with Dr. Mandelman and develop a birth plan.
How often are prenatal care visits?
After your confirmation of pregnancy, you can expect to visit the office of Westlake Women’s Health Specialists once every month for the first 28 weeks. Your visits increase to twice per month during weeks 28-36. In weeks 36 through delivery, you’ll visit the office once per week.
If you have a pregnancy that’s deemed high risk, these visits may happen more frequently. Dr. Mandelman can create a prenatal care plan appropriate for your particular health needs.
What should I expect during prenatal visits?
Your first prenatal visit usually takes the longest. At this visit, Dr. Mandelman takes a comprehensive health history that includes information about your family’s health, your personal health history, operations, and prior pregnancies.
You undergo lab testing, such as blood work and urine screening. Dr. Mandelman checks your blood pressure, height, and weight. Then, she calculates your due date and answers any questions you might have.
Later prenatal visits involve check-ins on your health and evaluation of your baby’s growth. Dr. Mandelman runs appropriate screening tests, gets an ultrasound, checks for anemia, and screens for HIV or other conditions according to your personal or family health history and your age.
For excellent care during your pregnancy, call Westlake Women’s Health Specialists or request an appointment online today.
