Welcome to the Cottage Ob/Gyn Practice
We are delighted you have chosen Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic for your pregnancy care! Our clinic care team has extensive and varied experience in providing care during this special time, and we are all motivated by our passion for participating in this life-affirming event. Our highest wish for you is for a healthy pregnancy and delivery that requires as little intervention as possible.
In an effort to provide optimal safety and care, Cottage has hired an excellent group of board-certified Ob/Gyn physicians who work as Obstetric Hospitalists. An Ob Hospitalist is on staff at the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to triage patients, manage emergencies, and help with late-night deliveries. If your delivery occurs during the day, one of us in the clinic will provide your Ob care during delivery at the hospital. If your delivery occurs after hours, generally one of the Ob Hospitalists will be your delivering obstetrician.
We aim to put you at ease by giving you the information and reassurance you need to confidently navigate these important months. To that end, we encourage you to sign up for MyChart at cottagehealth.org/mychart. You will be able to receive relevant education throughout your pregnancy as well as access your pregnancy records, labs, and appointment information. You can also reach us during regular hours at the office 805-324-9400.
If you have an urgent problem after hours or on weekends that must be addressed before the clinic reopens, call the office and you will be put in touch with the doctor on call. Remember that if you need to be seen, please go directly to the hospital to be evaluated by an Ob Hospitalist.
Prenatal care visits are scheduled as follows:
- Initial appointment is typically at about 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. You will undergo a complete exam and have prenatal labs drawn. An ultrasound is generally done to confirm your due date.
- After your initial exam, you will have appointments every month until 28 weeks of pregnancy.
- After 28 weeks of pregnancy, your appointments will be scheduled every two weeks.
- In the last month of pregnancy, from 36 weeks until you deliver, your appointments will be weekly.
Carrier screening and noninvasive prenatal genetic testing is offered. We will discuss these tests with you at your office visit. For more information about this see: www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/prenatal-genetic-screening-tests.
You will be referred to the Obstetrix Medical Group (Perinatology) for detailed ultrasound examinations. These include a Nuchal Translucency scan at 11-13 weeks as part of your genetic screening if you choose, and a complete anatomy scan at 18 to 22 weeks.
As you approach the last trimester of pregnancy, we will be offering assistance with reminders to:
- Complete the hospital preadmission process for your birth
- Consider taking childbirth classes available to you
- Complete Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) forms with your employer, if applicable.
We look forward to accompanying you on your journey to achieve a healthy and happy pregnancy and delivery!
