PRENATAL CARE
Deciding to embark on the journey of motherhood can be an exciting, yet potentially worrisome experience, as you strive early-on to make the best possible choices about your prenatal care, in an effort to safeguard the health of your unborn child. At OBGYN on the Park, with convenient office locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY, our well-respected team of board certified Obstetricians/ Gynecologists make it a priority to keep abreast of the latest advances and developments in prenatal care, in order to provide patients with high quality prenatal services that are delivered in a compassionate and soothing environment. We understand the importance of being readily available to our patients, and offer uniquely flexible scheduling options and 24-hour access to our physicians to ensure that both mother and child receive the best possible care throughout the pregnancy.
GENETIC TESTING (CARRIER SCREENING)
Genetic testing (carrier screening) refers to the process of testing the blood of expecting or prospective parents to discover any genetic abnormalities that could potentially be passed on to the unborn child. These tests can provide a sense of relief for parents who are not carriers of the affected genes, and can give parents who are carriers a chance to research the condition, examine other prenatal testing to determine the health of their child, and discuss alternative options (i.e. adoption, egg or sperm donation). It is important to note that a ‘positive’ screening result is NOT a diagnosis of any condition—it is simply an indicator of the potential risk of passing on the condition to a child, and that further testing may be necessary.
FIRST TRIMESTER SCREENING
First trimester screening is an optional prenatal test that poses no danger to the mother or fetus, and provides early information about the risk of the unborn child developing certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome.
First trimester screening is typically performed between weeks 11-14 of pregnancy, and involves two steps:
- Blood test to assess the levels of PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A) and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
- Ultrasound exam to determine the size of the nuchal translucency (fluid beneath the skin in the back of the baby’s neck)
After evaluating the results of your ultrasound and blood tests, and factoring in your age, your OBGYN on the Park health care provider will be able to calculate your risk of carrying a child with Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome. First trimester screening is not used as a diagnostic tool, but rather can serve as an indicator that supplementary diagnostic testing (i.e. quad screen, chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis) may be beneficial for moderate or high risk patients.
ULTRASOUND (SONOGRAM)
A fetal ultrasound exam (sonogram) is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to scan a woman’s abdomen and pelvic cavity, creating a picture of the baby and placenta. Fetal ultrasounds often play an important role in prenatal care, and are employed as diagnostic procedures to screen for fetal abnormalities or potentially problematic conditions related to pregnancy. There are a number of different types of ultrasounds (i.e. transvaginal, 3-D, advanced, standard, Doppler, 4-D), and these exams are often performed in conjunction with other tests (i.e. blood tests, chorionic villus sampling, or amniocentesis) in order to assess or validate a diagnosis.
Medical indications for an ultrasound exam include:
First Trimester:
- Verify heartbeat
- Verify viable pregnancy
- Assess gestational age or abnormal gestation
- Verify ectopic or molar pregnancies
- Measure the crown-rump length
Second Trimester:
- Detect structural abnormalities
- Evaluate fetal health
- Verify multiples pregnancy
- Confirm dates and growth
- Corroborate intrauterine death
- Detect reduced or excessive levels of amniotic fluid
Third Trimester:
- Observe fetal presentation
- Detect pelvic or uterine abnormalities of the mother
- Monitor fetal movements
- Verify placental location
Contact OBGYN on the Park
At OBGYN on the Park, we take pride in providing a superior level of patient care and clinical expertise in a compassionate and comfortable environment. Our exceptional staff members are experts in the field of Obstetrics/Gynecology and all our physician are faculty members at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As a patient at OBGYN on the Park, you will experience an unparalleled level of attentiveness and responsiveness—we will always make time to thoroughly address every question and concern you might have, and will work tirelessly to ensure that your experience is a positive one.
Our multidisciplinary approach involves cooperative collaboration with your primary care physician and a network of highly esteemed specialists (when necessary) in order to create a customized treatment plan that meets your unique obstetric/gynecological concerns. We look forward to speaking with you, and to scheduling your initial appointment with one of our board certified physicians.