Pregnancy Specialist
Medical care during your pregnancy helps reduce the risk of serious problems for both you and your child. In fact, it’s believed that prenatal care helps cut the risk of pregnancy-related death in half. To ensure the health of you and your baby, call or make an appointment online today with Dr. Patrick Ellis OB/GYN, in Brownsville, Texas.
Pregnancy Q & A
When you’re pregnant, your growing midsection and added weight often lead to:
- Stretch marks
- Aches and pains
- An excessive need to urinate
Additionally, the hormones associated with pregnancy can also lead to:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Enlarged breasts
Pregnancy care enables Dr. Patrick Ellis to spot potential issues early and prevent them from becoming problems.
Dr. Patrick Ellis will also help you get enough folic acid, calcium, and iron, which help prevent delivery complications. And if you need help with addiction or substance abuse, Dr. Patrick Ellis OB/GYN can also help you stop quit smoking, drinking, or taking illicit drugs.
Seeing Dr. Patrick Ellis during your pregnancy enables them to ensure you’re in good health while managing the conditions that can affect your ability to become pregnant and maintain pregnancy. Dr. Patrick Ellis also closely monitors any medications you’re taking, and provide substitutes for those that shouldn’t be taken while you’re pregnant.
You should visit Dr. Patrick Ellis OB/GYN anywhere from 10 to 15 times during your pregnancy.
During your first and second trimesters, appointments with Dr. Patrick Ellis are every four weeks. During your second trimester, your visits increase to every two weeks. Starting at week 36, you see Dr. Patrick Ellis weekly until you deliver.
At every visit, Dr. Patrick Ellis will check your:
- Blood pressure
- Weight
- Urine
- Belly growth
He’ll also check your baby’s heartbeat and position at each appointment.
Dr. Patrick Ellis also performs a variety of screenings during your pregnancy, including:
- Blood type and Rh factor
- Immunity checks for rubella and chickenpox
- Infections and sexually transmitted diseases
- Anemia
- Gestational diabetes
Dr. Patrick Ellis performs your first ultrasound exam between weeks 18 and 20 of your pregnancy. This diagnostic image helps Dr. Patrick Ellis find any potential signs of problems.
Additionally, ultrasound imaging also helps confirm the age of your fetus and that your baby is growing properly. If your baby is in the right position, and you want to know, you can also learn the sex of your baby during this test.
For pregnancy care with a personal touch, call or make an appointment online today with Dr. Patrick Ellis OB/GYN.
