It’s normal to approach pregnancy, childbirth and the following weeks with a number
of questions and expectations. We offer the full range of obstetric care you’ll need
from finding out you’re pregnant through delivering your baby and beyond. Our obstetricians
understand your concerns and wishes and are here to guide you through the process.
We provide:
Prenatal Care
During the course of your pregnancy, you’ll receive ongoing prenatal care, which includes
checkups and tests. It’s important for your health, and that of your baby, to stay
on top of your prenatal care and follow the care plan your obstetrician has designed
for you. We offer:
- Checkups: These typically occur once a month through 28 weeks of pregnancy, twice a month for
weeks 28 through 35 and weekly from week 36 through delivery. During these visits,
your obstetrician will examine you, check your blood pressure and weight and your
baby’s heart rate and growth, and perform necessary laboratory tests. Find out how to get to the Medical Office Building for your appointments.
- Prenatal testing: Your obstetrician will check your blood type, Rh factor and look for anemia, infections,
and signs that you’re immune to certain diseases. They will also offer additional
tests, such as screenings for diabetes during pregnancy, Down syndrome and human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).
Labor and Delivery
We realize that you may have concerns and preferences about labor and delivery. We
strive to make childbirth as safe, comfortable and memorable for you as possible while
taking into consideration your wishes. We offer many birthing options, including:
- Vaginal delivery, which may involve certain instruments, such as forceps or a suction to guide your
baby through the birth canal.
- Cesarean section, also called c-section, when vaginal delivery isn’t possible — for example, if your
baby isn’t positioned with their head down, is too large to move through the pelvis,
or is in distress.
- Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), is offered to women based on certain factors, such as the condition of the scar
on their uterus from previous cesarean sections.
- Pain management, our obstetric anesthesiologist and anesthesiology team can provide pain medication
or anesthesia, if you wish, to help you be as comfortable as possible during childbirth.
When the day arrives for you to have your baby, you will come to Labor and Delivery at Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC). Here is how to get to Labor and Delivery.
Do you have any questions? Email us at perinatal@augusta.edu
Postpartum Care
The postpartum period begins immediately following childbirth and lasts six weeks.
During this time, a woman’s body readjusts to its nonpregnant state while she adjusts
to her new role of caring for a newborn baby. We offer:
- Mother Baby Couplet Care: During your hospital stay to encourage you to spend as much time with your baby as
possible so you can learn their feeding and sleeping habits and bond
- Follow-up checkups: Typically we see you within 6 weeks of giving birth and again within 6 months for
a pelvic exam. We also give postpartum depression screening and treatment, and discuss
birth control options.
- Obstetric emergency care: Is available to patients for any complications that arise within 6 weeks after delivery.
Questions? Email us perinatal@augusta.edu