Maternity Overview
Plan for a healthy pregnancy and baby even before you’re expecting. WellStar offers world-class care for a safe and healthy journey toward motherhood.
Each woman’s pregnancy is as different as she is, with distinct expectations and various medical requirements. From your first prenatal appointment through labor and delivery, the obstetricians and healthcare providers at WellStar ensure you have the information and care you need to prepare for the birth of your child.
We take our mission of delivering technologically advanced family-centered maternity care seriously. This commitment to excellence is why WellStar is recognized for maternity care by Phillips + Fenwick, the nation's leading think tank of family-centered care.
Take a tour of the comfortable labor/delivery/recovery rooms in our state-of-the-art birthing centers, located at WellStar Cobb, Douglas and Kennestone hospitals. The amenities and experienced care by our physicians and nurses are just two of the reasons why 12,000 babies are born at WellStar hospitals each year, in centers ranked in the top 10 percent in the United States.
Our Level 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) offer world-class clinical care for high-risk and premature newborns and are equipped with the latest technology and equipment to nurture the smallest and most critical babies.
With experienced OB/GYN practices throughout Northwest Georgia, and nationally ranked birthing centers, WellStar provides you and your growing family world-class care close to home.
First Trimester
WEEKS |
WHAT TO EXPECT |
| 1 - 4 |
- Gestational age begins with first day of most recent period
- You may suspect you’re pregnant
- A test may confirm your pregnancy
|
| 5 – 8 |
- Select your WellStar obstetrician and schedule prenatal visits
- You may experience nausea, extreme fatigue and tender breasts
- Start reading books about pregnancy
- Consider taking a Prenatal Nutrition Class.
|
| 9 – 12 |
- Your baby is now a fetus weighing around 0.1 ounces
- Research your family’s genetic background and your immunization history
|
Routine Exams and Tests
- Health history and physical exam
- Initial blood work
- Screening for sexually transmitted diseases
- Urine test for signs of gestational diabetes or high blood pressure
- Pap smear
Don’t Forget!
- Write down any questions you want to ask your WellStar obstetrician about your pregnancy.
- Visit our First Trimester page to learn more.
Second Trimester
WEEKS |
WHAT TO EXPECT |
| 13 – 16 |
- Morning sickness diminishes and appetite returns
- Hormones may make you a bit absentminded
|
| 17 – 20 |
- Your breasts may have grown as much as two cup sizes
- You may feel your baby’s first movement
- Start the selection process for your child’s WellStar pediatrician
- Your first ultrasound reveals images of your baby
|
| 21 – 24 |
- Stay in shape with low-impact exercises
- You may begin to feel harmless “warm-up” contractions
- A glucose screening tests for gestational diabetes
|
Your Baby
Is nearly a foot long and weighs more than a pound
Routine Exams and Tests
- Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) for indications of Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida
- Amniocentesis (if you’re over 35) screening for birth defects
- “Triple Marker” blood tests for chromosomal abnormalities
- Ultrasound or sonogram anatomy scan
- Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) for gestational diabetes
Don’t Forget!
- Consider what types of childbirth education classes you would like to take during your third trimester.
- Purchase infant car seat.
- Choose a Pediatrician
- Visit our Second Trimester page to learn more.
Third Trimester
WEEKS |
WHAT TO EXPECT |
| 25 – 29 |
- Frequent indigestion and heartburn is common
- Time to start baby-proofing your home
|
| 30 – 34 |
- Take at least 30 milligrams of iron daily
- Exercise regularly and eat high fiber foods
- Consider if you prefer breast or bottle feeding
- Register for childbirth/early parenting classes including prepared childbirth, newborn care, and breastfeeding. Be sure to consider our online class options for prepared childbirth and breastfeeding.
- If you are considering having an epidural, please sign up for our epidural class.
- Sign up Dad for Boot Camp for New Dads class and Grandparents for our Generation to Generation class.
- If you have already had a baby before, consider signing up for a refresher course or our Sibling Adjustment class.
|
| 35 – 40 |
- You may have gained 25 to 35 lbs.
- Identify your preferred pain relief technique for childbirth
- Schedule weekly visits with your WellStar obstetrician
- Labor and delivery
|
Your Baby
Is considered full term at 37 weeks, but don’t be surprised if he or she doesn’t arrive right on your due date. There are increased potential risks to your baby if you have an elective delivery before 39 weeks.
Routine Exams and Tests
- Group B strep bacteria test
- Electronic fetal heart monitoring
- Biophysical profile with non-stress test (NST)
- Possible RPR test
Don’t Forget!
- Sign up for WellStar’s childbirth and early parenting classes. If you decide to breastfeed, enroll in a breastfeeding class before the birth of your baby.
- Purchase your infant car seat, and make an appointment to visit the Safe Kids Child Safety Seat Inspection Station at the Cobb County Safety Village for a demonstration on how to properly install a child safety seat.
- Sign up for a tour of the Women’s Center by calling 770-956-STAR (7827).
- Visit our Third Trimester page to learn more.
Focus on WellStar Birthing Centers
Your comfort and the health of you and your baby were uppermost in our minds when designing our family-centered birthing centers. Learn how we’ve combined state-of-the art technology with home-like labor/delivery/recovery rooms to make your birthing experience as comfortable as it is memorable.