We at WomanHealth would like to congratulate you on your pregnancy and share with you our plan for Obstetrical care. Once pregnancy has been confirmed, we schedule your first appointment with one of our Nurse Practitioners. During this initial visit, we will review your medical history, pregnancy history and do a complete physical including prenatal lab work.

If any complications arise before your first visit please call the office and we will have you see one of the physicians as soon as possible.

You will be seen for your prenatal care by our staff of physicians and nurse practitioners, so you will meet each physician during your pregnancy. The physician assigned to the Family Birth Unit when you are admitted to the hospital will deliver your baby.

These visits are scheduled by appointment according to where you are in your pregnancy. If you need to be seen for a problem, an additional appointment will be made for you.

Contacting the Office
Our deliveries are done at The Birthplace Lowell General Hospital.

When calling the office with a problem or concern, please identify yourself as a pregnant patient.

If the office is closed, our answering service will refer your call to the doctor on call. Please identify yourself to the answering service as a pregnant patient. It is very important for you to indicate to the doctor on call if your insurance requires you to be seen at another hospital.

For your health information

• Your Preconception Visit
  Pregnancy is a major event. If you plan for it, you can make wise decisions that will benefit both your health and that of your baby. Getting good health care before you become pregnant--sometimes called preconceptional care&nadsh;will help you throughout your pregnancy. It also provides a chance to find any risks and treat any medical problems you may have...
• Pregnancy Planning Checklist
  If you are planning to have a baby, getting ready begins even before you become pregnant. By following the suggestions on this checklist before you conceive, you can help to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy, happy baby...
• Lowell General Hospital
  • The Birthplace
    The Birthplace offers expectant families everything they're looking for in a childbirth experience: highly specialized, Boston-level maternity care with the comfort and personal attention of a community hospital. Through its affiliation with Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, The Birthplace has on staff some of the best obstetricians in the area including Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist available for diagnostic testing and consultation for high risk pregnancies. We also staff 24/7 neonatology coverage for those infants that require a higher level care. With comfortable, home-like rooms and highly personalized nursing care, The Birthplace offers a nurturing experience like no other.
  • The Birthplace also offers
    • Highly specialized prenatal care, including a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist (perinatologist)and genetics counseling, for women with high risk pregnancies.
    • Around-the-clock neonatologists for babies born prematurely or sick and needing a higher level of care in the Level II Special Care Nursery.
    • Highly trained and experienced physicians, midwives and Registered Nurses.
    • An experienced anesthesiology team available 24/7.
    • Pediatric specialists on-site 24/7.
    • Certified lactation consultants, breastfeeding classes and support available to every new mom.
    • A full range of childbirth education and parenting programs, including Hypnobirthing, sibling preparation, prenatal yoga, and a new moms support group.
  • Having a Healthy Pregnancy
    The Dangers of Smoking, Medications, and Street Drugs -- Everyone wants to have a healthy baby. With good prenatal care and proper nutrition, most pregnant women do. However, while you are pregnant your lifestyle and habits can affect your health and the health of the fetus...
  • Schedule of Prenatal Visits
    Early prenatal care is extremely important for your health and the health of your baby. You'll want to call the office as soon as you think you may be pregnant. Here's the schedule of office visits...
  • Proper Nutrition Is Important When You Are Expecting
    During your first trimester, the quality of what you eat is more important than the quantity. Here are some guidelines on what to eat, and what not to eat during your pregnancy...
  • Exercise and Pregnancy
    Exercise is a regular part of many women's lives. This does not need to change with pregnancy. The possible benefits of regular exercise include fewer complications during pregnancy and faster recovery from labor and delivery. Regular exercise can improve your sense of well being...
  • Morning Sickness
    Morning Sickness affects many but not all women. "Morning sickness" isn't necessarily confined to the morning hours. Here are some ways to relieve the nausea and survive morning sickness...
  • A Warning About E-Coli Bacteria
    Recently, outbreaks of E.Coli bacteria have been linked to fresh produce such as lettuce, unpasteurized apple cider and juices, and other foods...
  • Prenatal Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders
    Knowing the family history of both you and your baby's father will allow us to anticipate certain problems that can be minimized with proper care. Today, we have a better chance of diagnosing certain genetically transmitted diseases thanks to medical technology...
  • Ultrasound
    Many new discoveries in medical technology have improved the instruments and machines designed to help doctors better treat their patients. One modern tool, called ultrasound, lets doctors "see" inside a patient's body. It is often used to check the well-being of the baby during pregnancy...
  • Pain Relief During Labor
    There are many pain relief options that you have during labor. We encourage all couples to attend a childbirth class. Every person has a different tolerance to pain and you should not feel a sense of failure if you request, or we suggest, medication for pain relief...
  • Diabetes During Pregnancy
    Diabetes is a condition that causes high levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Health problems can arise when the glucose levels are too high or not well controlled. Diabetes is of special concern during pregnancy...
  • Breastfeeding Information
    New parents want to give their' babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk Research has shown that breast milk is the perfect nourishment for infants. Human milk contains the exact amount of fatty acids, water, lactose, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth...

Other Helpful Information

• Pregnancy Environment Hotline: 1-800-322-5014
  Toll free number that provides information on the effects of drugs, medications, infections, and other environmental exposures in pregnancy.
• WIC: (978)454-6397
  Provides vouchers for food and baby formula for pregnant women and their children under 6 yrs old.

Other related topics

• Endometriosis
  In endometriosis, tissue that normally lines the uterus (the endometrium) grows somewhere else in the body. It may cause pelvic pain, especially during menstruation. This pain may be mild to severe...
• Vaginal Infections and Vaginitis
  Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina characterized by discharge, odor, irritation, and/or itching. Vaginitis is rarely a serious threat to a woman's health. It can be annoying and uncomfortable, though. It usually does not go away without treatment....

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