Obstetrics (Pregnancy Care)

You deserve support and compassionate care throughout your pregnancy. At Weill Cornell Medicine, our obstetricians create a warm, empowering and comforting environment for our patients during your preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

We value collaborative decision making as the most effective way to provide you with the best possible care that you want and need during this important time in your life. We work closely with all our patients to help make pregnancy and childbirth a joyful, positive experience.

Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine for Your Pregnancy Care?

Focus on your comfort and health: As a patient, you will experience a healthy, comfortable environment for your prenatal, labor, delivery and newborn care. With an eye toward the emotional well-being of our patients, we fully encourage you to participate in your own care and treatment.

Our obstetricians are nationally recognized leaders in improving pregnancy care and outcomes. Weill Cornell Medicine has made strides to decrease maternal mortality rates and racial inequities throughout pregnancy and childbirth care by combining our academic medical center’s resources with our doctors’ passion and expertise for caring for each and every patient.

Learn more about Dr. Riley, the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In addition to caring for patients, our doctors also research how to improve pregnancy and childbirth care for all. As a patient, your care will be based on the latest knowledge and highest standards.

Pregnancy Care

Our team strives to create a warm, supportive and comforting environment for our patients during pregnancy and childbirth.

While most pregnancies proceed smoothly, we’re prepared for every possible situation, including:

● Gestational diabetes
● Gestational hypertension
● High-risk pregnancy
● Placenta disorders
● Preeclampsia (high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy)
● Obstetric cardiology
● Advanced maternal age
● Preterm birth
● Multiples
● Vaginal birth after Cesarean section

Pre- and Postnatal Care by Leading Experts

At Weill Cornell Medicine, our team offers the most advanced and comprehensive pregnancy and childbirth care available, including:

● Genetic counseling
● Prenatal care and diagnostics
● Family planning and preconception care
● Childbirth and newborn care classes
● Labor and delivery
● Breastfeeding support
● Midwifery services
● Neonatal services
● Postpartum (after child birth) care

What to expect from your prenatal care visits

It’s important to take care of yourself and your baby by receiving early and regular prenatal care. Seeking the care of a well-trained and experienced obstetrician is one of the best ways to keep yourself and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy.

During the first prenatal visit, you can expect your healthcare provider to:

● Ask about your health history including diseases, operations or prior pregnancies
● Ask about your family’s health history
● Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap test
● Collect your blood and urine for lab work
● Check your blood pressure, height and weight
● Calculate your due date
● Answer your questions
● Discuss with you how to care for yourself and your baby (for example, the types of prenatal vitamins to take, what to avoid eating, how to exercise and more)

At the first visit, you should ask questions and discuss any issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to stay healthy.

Later prenatal visits will probably be shorter. Your healthcare provider will monitor and evaluate you and your baby’s health. Most prenatal visits will include:

● Checking your blood pressure
● Monitoring your weight
● Measuring your abdomen to check your baby’s growth (once you begin to show)
● Checking the baby’s heart rate

You also will have some routine tests. Some tests are suggested for all patients, such as blood work to check for anemia, your blood type, HIV and gestational diabetes. Other tests might be offered based on your age, personal or family health history, your ethnic background or the results of routine tests you have had.

All our patients have the opportunity to have a biophysical profile (BPP) test. This test may include a nonstress test with electronic fetal heart monitoring and a fetal ultrasound. The BPP test measures your baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing and the amount of fluid around your baby. This test is commonly done in the last trimester of pregnancy.