OB Services

There are many ways that you can help create an environment for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery even before you conceive. We recommend that you make an appointment for a preconception visit with your doctor before you attempt pregnancy to discuss your special circumstances and health care issues.

At this visit we typically discuss:

Nutrition, including foods to avoid, caffeine, and alcohol

Exercise guidelines

Screening for inherited diseases

Vitamin and mineral supplements

Travel considerations

Tips on the right time to conceive.

Your doctor can also review your risk for conditions that may affect your pregnancy and you can receive any needed vaccinations. Women who are planning a pregnancy should take a daily multivitamin with at least 400 milligrams of folic acid.

This appointment is generally scheduled at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, although this is individualized, depending on your pregnancy and medical history.

Prenatal visits are scheduled as appropriate for your pregnancy. The number of prenatal visits differs depending on your pregnancy. Generally, women are seen once a month at the beginning of the pregnancy, every two weeks in the middle, and once a week at the end. Certain tests are performed at certain times during the pregnancy and are summarized below. We keep you informed about what tests are planned and what is involved with each visit.

Gestational Age (in weeks)

Test/Procedure

8 to 10

First visit, pregnancy dating, and appropriate lab tests.

11 to 13

First Trimester screen: Ultrasound for nuchal translucency and blood tests.

15 to 17

Extended AFP screen “Quad Screen” or amniocentesis, if desired/applicable.

18 to 22

Ultrasound

26 to 28

Glucose Tolerance test

35 to 37

Culture for group B strep.

Low risk, uncomplicated pregnancies require fewer visits to care for a healthy baby and mother. Higher risk pregnancies require more visits. Your primary care doctor will recommend a schedule that is right for you. Our nurse practitioners are an important part of our team and will provide some of your care in conjunction with your doctor. They provide prenatal and gynecological care as well as patient education. In addition to their medical knowledge, take advantage of their expertise in preparation for delivery, breastfeeding, diet and exercise.

Typically an initial ultrasound is performed between 8-12 weeks gestation to confirm intrauterine pregnancy and fetal heart motion, to check for fetal size and dates during pregnancy and again at about 20 weeks to review the fetal anatomy. Additional ultrasounds may be performed later in pregnancy to evaluate for fetal position and fetal size, amniotic fluid, and other indications. We have 3D ultrasound capabilities and provide a low-cost package that can be purchased.

All women are offered the state of California's non-invasive screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. This screen typically consists of a blood test done between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy and an ultrasound performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. Women who will be age 35 or older at the time of delivery and women who have a history of chromosomal conditions in their family are offered additional highly sensitive testing to detect fetal DNA in the mom's bloodstream.

Your provider will offer you screening to see if you carry any genetic conditions that could affect the health of your unborn baby. Screening may include tests for cystic fibrosis, clotting disorders, and other recessive conditions that affect many patient populations.

Our physicians are experienced in the care and delivery of the high-risk pregnancy. We work closely in consultation with the perinatologists at Valley Perinatal & Genetics Diagnostic Center Medical Group, Inc. and a Geneticist, in order to provide a full scope of counseling services. We have on-site antenatal testing including ultrasound, nonstress tests, biophysical profiles and laboratory capabilities in order to provide convenient, comprehensive care.

Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation

Post-Partum Tubal Ligation

Labor Induction 

Normal Vaginal Delivery

C-section Delivery

V-Bac Delivery

Our physicians have active privileges at the following hospitals.  For information, please click link to be directed to The Labor & Delivery Suite.  

St. Joseph's Hospital

Lodi Memorial Hospital

Doctor's Hospital of Manteca

Postpartum care is an important part of the transition to parenthood and our physicians and nurse practitioners provide a full scope of postpartum services. We address both the physical and emotional transitions, discuss exercise and nutrition considerations, and offer contraception counseling.

If you are not using a birth control method, it is possible to become pregnant very soon after having a baby. Using a birth control method in the weeks after you have a baby (the postpartum period) helps you avoid an unintended pregnancy.

Post Partum Contraception FAQs