Walking With You On Your “new Life” Journey
Personalized Care for Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a special time in the life of every woman. Texas Center for Health walks with you hand in hand through this life-changing experience because we understand that every pregnancy is different for every woman.
Texas Center for Health OB providers take your maternity needs personally. From prenatal testing to childbirth classes and lactation services, you can expect the highest level of attention and care from our dedicated team. We invite you to come and learn more about our practice, medical professionals and state-of-the-art resources provided for normal and most high-risk or complicated pregnancies. Find out why more women choose to experience their life changing journey with Texas Center for Health Obstetrics in Beaumont, Texas.
Pregnancy consists of three trimesters (periods of time). After birth you will go through a period of time known as Postpartum. During each of these periods, certain diagnostic tests are performed, both blood tests and diagnostics. For your convenience 3D & 4D Ultrasounds are available in our office. Although insurances allow for a limited number of ultrasounds, we will be happy to schedule additional ultrasounds for you at an additional cost.
During your initial visit you will meet with a staff coordinator that will guide you through the financial details of your prenatal care. They will assist you with your insurance benefits and set up a financial agreement and payment plan with our office for any amount that is not covered by your insurance.
1st Trimester (Less Than 14 Weeks, 0 Days)
Tests for chromosomal abnormality are ordered if there is a need for additional diagnostics based on patient/family history or other test results. Here are a few:
Tests For Chromosomal Abnormality
CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) this is an invasive test is usually performed around 10-12 weeks. During a CVS, a small sampling of the cells is taken from the placenta.
Nuchal Translucency/Ultra Screen – This minimally invasive test is performed between 9-13 weeks from the last menstrual period. A transvaginal ultrasound is used to measure the neck fold (or nuchal translucency) of the baby. A blood test is also performed that test is also performed that tests for Beta HCG and PAPP-A proteins. These combined tests can detect 90% of babies for Downs Syndrome and 97% of babies with Trisomy 18.
Cystic Fibrosis - (also known as CF or mucoviscidosis) is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine. It is characterized by abnormal transport of chloride and sodium across epithelium, leading to thick, viscous secretions.
Counsyl -Â Is a preconception carrier screen for more than 100 single gene disorders. Counsylis simultaneously less expensive yet far more comprehensive than currently available assays for cystic fibrosis and Ashkenazi Jewish diseases.
Quad Screen – This maternal test is offered from 16 – 20 weeks. The quad screen is a prenatal test that measures levels of four substances in a pregnant woman's blood such as:
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein made by the baby's liver
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone made by the placenta
- Estriol, a hormone made by the placenta and the baby's liver
- Inhibin A, another hormone made by the placenta
Results of the quad screen indicate the risk of carrying a baby who has certain developmental or chromosomal conditions, such as spina bifida or down syndrome, not whether your baby actually has these conditions.
Amniocentesis -  (also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT) is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections, in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is sampled from the amnion or amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus. Once sampled, the fetal DNA is examined for genetic abnormalities.
2nd Trimester (14 Weeksthrough 27 Weeks And 6 Days)
Blood Test to check for Gestational Diabetes -Â Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that startsor is first diagnosed during pregnancy.
CBC – A CBC test (complete blood count) is used as a broad screening test to check for issues like anemia.
Level 2 Ultrasound – Comprehensive Ultrasound,often referred to as an anatomy scan is performed at 19-21 weeks. This is a detailed examination of the fetal anatomy and an opportunity to find out the sex of the baby.
Occasionally, during an ultrasound the Ultrasound Technician may not be able to clearly determine the baby’s sex by visualization. Although insurance won’t pay for a patient to find out the sex of the baby, we will perform another ultrasound on a different visit for a separate fee. Talk to your provider or physician should you desire another ultrasound.
3rd Trimester – 28 Weeks Through Delivery
Group B Strep Culture -Â Group B strep (GBS) is a kind of bacteria that many people harbor in their intestinal tracts. The bacteria may also inhabit (or "colonize") your vagina as welland be passed on to your baby during labor and birth.
Repeat HIV test - is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This test is recommended by The State of Texas.
Postpartum Care
Taking home a new baby is one of the happiest times in a woman's life. But it also presents both physical and emotional challenges.
- Get as much rest as possible. You may find that all you can do is eat, sleep and care for your baby. And that is perfectly okay. You will have spotting or bleeding, like a menstrual period off and on for up to six weeks.
- You might also have swelling in your legs and feet, feel constipated, have menstrual-like cramping. Even if you are not breastfeeding, you can have milk leaking from your nipples, and your breasts might feel full, tender or uncomfortable.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on how much activity, like climbing stairs or walking, you can do for the next few weeks.
- Doctors usually recommend that you abstain from sexual intercourse for four to six weeks after birth.
In addition to physical changes, you may feel sad or have the "baby blues." If you are extremely sad or are unable to care for yourself or your baby, you might have a serious condition called postpartum depression.
Approximately 10 percent of mothers develop postpartum depression (PPD).
If after a week or two of the “baby blues,” you are still feeling extreme anxiety, a sense of hopelessness, despair and/or negative feelings, to the degree that it interferes with your daily life, you may be suffering from postpartum depression. Other symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Disinterest in your baby or yourself
- Inability to sleep (insomnia) or the wish to sleep all the time even when baby is awake
- Loss of appetite or excessive need to eat all day
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Feeling of guilt or hopelessness
- Panic Attacks
- Extreme concerns or lack of interest in baby
Should you have any of these signs of postpartum depression, take steps immediately to get the help you need. Speak with your doctor and let him or her know what you are feeling. They have the experience and understanding to support you through this period. If necessary, he or she can refer you to the resources where you can find additional help.