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

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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