Early Prenatal Care for a Healthy Pregnancy with Richmond, KY
Early Prenatal Care for a Healthy Pregnancy with Richmond, KY Healthtalk Transcript
Christa Carlin, APRN, OB/GYN
Baptist Health Richmond
Christa Carlin, APRN:
Prenatal care should start early in the first trimester, ideally by seven or eight weeks gestation. At the first prenatal visit, baseline labs will be obtained, as well as a thorough review of medical history and current medications, making sure everything is safe for pregnancy.
There are several resources available at Baptist Health Richmond to support a woman through her journey. We have a maternity nurse navigator who you may meet [with] at any time during your pregnancy. She meets one on one with the mother. Together, they address any issues and concerns and any barriers that need to be addressed to support a healthy pregnancy.
We also offer a birthing class, which is taught by one of our labor nurses with over 20 years of experience. We have a lactation counselor. She will ensure that there's a proper latch and the baby is getting the nutrients that they need for healthy growth.
I was a labor and delivery nurse for 13 years prior to coming to this role, and what I really loved was just being with women in their most vulnerable times and being able to see patients out in public, and they're like, "Hey, here's my baby." Now, I'm at the other end of it, and I'm starting off their pregnancy with them. I may not be there at the end, but I'm there at the beginning, and that's nice.
Mother and Baby Care at Baptist Health
If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and don’t have a Baptist Health provider, visit our online provider directory to find one near you. Participate in a mother and baby event or call us at 1.877.246.7865.
