Are you thinking of starting or expanding your family? Along with decorating the nursery and finding the right car seat, consulting with your doctor is an essential part of adding to your family. In this article, find out what to expect every step of the way.

Before you get pregnant: talk with your doctor

Even if you're just thinking about becoming pregnant, schedule an appointment with your doctor to talk things out. "In my first visit with any patient, I ask them about their health care goals," says family physician Ethan Schneider, MD. "If you're planning to become pregnant, we can talk to you about starting prenatal vitamins, babyproofing the house and all the other things you need to start thinking about." For example, some vaccinations are recommended before you become pregnant – so you'll want to see your doctor sooner rather than later.

While you're pregnant: go to regular appointments

At the beginning of your pregnancy, you'll see your physician every four weeks. If your pregnancy is high risk, you might need to check in more often. Any chronic medical condition like hypertension, diabetes, lupus or even a history of seizures can mean a high-risk pregnancy. But "sometimes, things can develop in the pregnancy that make it a high-risk pregnancy," says Dr. Schneider. "For example, if you develop very high blood pressure or diabetes. That's why we consistently monitor your health throughout the pregnancy. We do an examination every visit to make sure that your pregnancy is progressing well." 

Getting closer to childbirth: make a birth plan

Your obstetrician (OB doctor) can help create a birth plan that makes sense for you. "My job is to support you," says Dr. Schneider. You can consider ahead of time whether you want an epidural, who you want in the room during labor and if you'll try to breastfeed. Your doctor can advise you on the health benefits and risks and ultimately make sure everything is safe for you and your baby.

We also have online childbirth education classes. These classes are ideal if you're at least 32 weeks pregnant.

My baby is finally here! Now what?

After your delivery, a whole flurry of new beginnings will start. Your physician will be there from the very first moment. "We deliver our own pregnancy patients," says family physician Alexis Rogers, MD. "Then we care for both mom and the newborn in the hospital and order appropriate tests."

A follow-up visit in the Clarkson Family Medicine Clinic a few days after you've gone home helps clear up other confusing parts of new parenthood. "There are all these questions nobody thinks about, like how often you should give the baby a bath or even how you bathe the baby," says Dr. Rogers.

Along with first-year milestones like teething, sitting up and crawling, your baby has well visits and vaccinations to look forward to. Dr. Rogers explains, "At a well-child visit, we make sure baby is eating and drinking OK while also checking for rashes or other problems." 

You'll meet every two to three months to make sure your child is growing appropriately. Your doctor will let you know when the next visit will be and what to expect at each one.

A sense of continuity with your care can be reassuring. "With Clarkson Family Medicine, it's not a transition from two different physicians, but rather the same physician caring for the mother, baby and siblings," says Dr. Rogers. 
Through all of life's milestones, it's important to have someone by your side to care for you and your family. If you're thinking about growing your family – or have little ones already – find a doctor at Clarkson Family Medicine at the Old Market Health Center.