Pregnancy

Guiding Your Journey: Expert pregnancy care for a healthy and joyful experience.

Pregnancy services offered in Century City, Los Angeles, CA

Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with a roller coaster of emotions. When you need expert care for a high-risk pregnancy in Los Angeles, Joseph Roofeh, MD, in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, is the OB/GYN for you. Dr. Roofeh is an experienced obstetrician with expertise in caring for all types of pregnancies. Call the office or book pregnancy care in Los Angeles online today.

When is pregnancy considered high-risk?

A pregnancy is high-risk when there’s an increased chance of health complications for you, the unborn baby, or both. Some of the factors that make a pregnancy high-risk include:

  • History of chronic health conditions
  • Pregnancy-related complications (such as placenta previa or carrying two or more babies)
  • Age (being 17 or younger / 35 or older)
  • Birth defects
  • Gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy)
  • Preeclampsia (high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy)

A high-risk pregnancy may require more frequent prenatal visits and special tests. Dr. Roofeh has vast experience in managing high-risk pregnancies and has a low Cesarean-section (C-section) rate.

When should I start prenatal care?

Prenatal care for pregnancy usually starts about eight weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period. However, Dr. Roofeh may request you come in sooner if you have a condition that puts you in the high-risk category.

Ideally, Dr. Roofeh recommends starting prenatal care before you get pregnant so he can optimize health conditions, discuss appropriate medications and provide vitamin support, as well as perform preconception genetic screening and testing.

What can I expect during pregnancy care?

You can expect attentive and comprehensive pregnancy care from Dr. Roofeh. The details of your care, however, depend on your unique situation.

During your first visit, expect an extensive examination that includes a review of your gynecological and medical history, as well as your family health history. Dr. Roofeh also asks about your partner’s personal health and family history.

He conducts a physical and pelvic exam, confirms your pregnancy, and estimates the due date. Dr. Roofeh may also order a number of tests, including a Pap smear, bloodwork, and an ultrasound. 

He spends time talking with you about your pregnancy and what to expect over the next several months. Dr. Roofeh also discusses nutrition, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle issues. He can provide you with prenatal and pregnancy education packets to take home. 

The frequency of your prenatal visits depend on your situation, but range from once a month to once a week.

What tests do I need during pregnancy?

Dr. Roofeh discusses what type of tests you need at your prenatal visits. Some of the tests he may recommend include:

  • Genetic testing
  • Fetal nuchal translucency (NT) testing (assess for chromosomal abnormalities)
  • Ultrasound testing (evaluate uterus and fetal growth and development)
  • Glucose tolerance test (monitor for gestational diabetes)
  • Amniocentesis (check for chromosomal and genetic conditions)
  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (check for chromosomal abnormalities)
  • Fetal heart monitoring (track baby’s heart rate and heart health)
  • Group B streptococcus (test for an infection you can pass to your baby during birth)

These tests are typically done at specific points during your pregnancy.

For expert prenatal and pregnancy guidance, call the office of Joseph Roofeh, MD, or book online today.