Expecting? Prenatal tests explained on Healthy Matters

Expecting?
In this week’s Healthy Matters podcast,  HCMC’s Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecolgy Dr. Virginia Lupo talks about pregnancy care and prenatal testing.

“Even though pregnancy is a healthy, normal  time of life there are people who have different medical and surgical complications that happen during that time,” explains Dr. Lupo. “My subspecialty area is knowing about those problems and how to get women and their babies safely through them.”

Dr. Lupo emphasizes that establishing prenatal care is one of the most important things new moms can do to get on the right path to a healthy pregnancy and delivery.  This may include special tests to help them diagnose conditions, like diabetes, that may affect pregnancy.  At HCMC’s clinics, first trimester screening (maternal blood tests and ultrasound) is one of the diagnostic screenings offered to all pregnant patients.

The OB Testing Unit at HCMC provides genetic counseling, ultrasounds, and other tests in pregnancies complicated by medical or other conditions. Care is provided by perinatologists, genetic counselors, and nurses.   For more information about The Birth Center at HCMC, go to hcmc.org/birthcenter