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5/4/2021

The Importance of a Primary Care Provider while you’re Pregnant

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As a fresh postpartum mom, I’m here to tell you that having Sarah as my primary care provider (PCP) during my pregnancy, was a lifesaver. I never understood the importance of a PCP when you’re pregnant--and then I had a baby during a pandemic.
Most women see their OB provider quite a bit during their pregnancy, but did you know that this is mostly to check the health and status of the baby and the overall status of your body while carrying the baby? There are plenty of concerns your OB will address if you call the office asking for assistance, but at times they will refer you back to primary care and this is when you want to have an established relationship with a provider as opposed to going to an urgent care. 

Here at IFM we can treat quite a few women while pregnant, but we don’t treat the actual pregnancy or do pregnancy well-checks. We are an extension of your OB when your condition isn’t treated by your OB. A sinus infection is a perfect example of a condition we would treat in the midst of a pregnancy if you can’t be seen by your OB. Or maybe an ear infection. Or a UTI. That’s just the short list. We can see you for nearly any primary care issue while you’re pregnant.

At my postpartum check (3 weeks post baby), I was discharged from the OB. What about if I had an issue with my incision or needed my mental health concerns evaluated? I’m sure my OB would have seen me but it is calming to know that I have Sarah on my team to help me manage my health in this postpartum period.

Many women of child bearing age don’t go to their doctor frequently. I know, I was one of those. I went to my OB for my yearly well woman checks and just used urgent care for anything in between. Our model at Integrative Family Medicine allows you to establish a trusting and nurturing relationship with our provider before, during, and after your pregnancy to ensure you are your healthiest. After all, healthy women make healthy babies!

So, if this sounds like you (planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, or postpartum) and you don’t have a PCP...give us a call to get established or book online. You won’t regret having someone for the long run on your health journey.

And...if you haven’t seen her around the office yet, I’m sure you will at some point. Meet Audrey. She came into this world three weeks early on a sunny March Friday... after the on-call doctor and her father doubted her pending arrival. 
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3 Comments

Mia Evans link
7/17/2023 09:05:41 pm

It's great to know that even sinus infections can be treated by pregnancy care services which is a perfect example for those facilities. I have to tell this to my sister so that she is aware of what services she can get if she really is expecting a child. She took a test at her home after being two month delayed from her period, and the result was positive.

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Eli Richardson link
10/27/2023 01:29:15 pm

It's important that pregnant women find a primary care provider to support them before, during, and after their pregnancy. My sister just found out she's pregnant last night, so she's overwhelmed and scared of the news. I think the first thing she'd do is to visit a healthcare professional, so I'll suggest it now.

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Millie Hue link
12/7/2023 06:40:22 am

It's great to know that sinus infections can be treated even when you are pregnant with the help of family primary care services. I want to make sure that I will not get sick or any illnesses I feel will be treated immediately now that I just found out that I am pregnant. And I am also on the hunt for a facility to go to to get myself checked to confirm my pregnancy before I share this news with my husband and other family members.

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  • About
    • Our Story
    • Services >
      • Mental Health >
        • Ketamine Therapy
        • Alpha-Stim®
      • Family Practice >
        • Men's Health
        • Pediatrics
        • Urgent Care
      • Aesthetics
      • FemiLift
      • Health Coaching
      • IV Infusions
    • Providers >
      • Kara Dobelis
      • Sarah Lee
      • Dianna O'Neill
      • Danielle Fitch
      • Kala Jurno
      • Spencer Elmer
  • Blog
  • Book Appointment
  • PATIENT
    • Patient Portal
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    • HIPAA Privacy Notice
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    • Pay My Bill
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