Austin ABC offers mothers the same prenatal testing they would expect to receive at a physician’s office. Additionally, AABC offers a less hurried process in which there is more time for counseling, teaching, and getting to know the midwife.
First Prenatal Care Visit
At this time a physical exam is performed to ensure that the mother is a healthy, low risk client.
Routine pregnancy blood work is drawn and any extra tests as indicated by the mother’s health history are performed.
If the pregnancy is difficult to date using traditional methods, a dating ultrasound may be performed. If the parents wish, our ultrasonographer can perform a first trimester screening test. This is an optional, early, non-invasive method used to monitor the baby’s health.
Please schedule approximately one hour and 20 minutes for this first visit.
Second Prenatal Care Visit
During the second visit, the focus is on individualized diet, teaching and counseling. The rest of the visit includes:
- Review of the lab work from the first visit;
- Measuring the fundus (uterus); and
- Checking the mother’s vital signs and the baby’s heart rate.
At this time, the mother may choose to join our group prenatal program, also known as “Centering Pregnancy.” This program allows parents to join others who share similar due dates. Various pregnancy topics are covered as well as all information needed to prepare for birth. The group is part prenatal visit, part support group, and part childbirth class. There is also a strong social aspect. Many long-lasting bonds have been established between the moms participating in our group prenatal program.
Some clients prefer to continue on with traditional prenatal visits, rotating among the midwives and getting to know all of them in a private setting. These mothers take the New Trends Birth Class (series of six classes) OR Birth In a Nutshell class if they have had a natural birth before (see list of birthing related classes here.
Most clients receive a twenty-week ultrasound or anatomy scan. Both locations have a state-of-the-art Philips ultrasound machine (2D and 3D). Our sonographer has many advanced certifications and 30 years experience in OB/GYN ultrasound.
As the due date approaches, the moms participating in the group prenatal program return to weekly private visits with the midwives at their location.
