Our prenatal services include:

• Office visits - Throughout your pregnancy, you'll have routine office visits or checkups to make sure your baby is progressing properly. These visits usually are scheduled monthly in the early stages of pregnancy, and occur more often as your delivery date draws near. One of our physicians or nurse practitioners will examine you, check your baby's growth and progress, and provide information that will help you have a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.
• Laboratory tests - Blood tests, urine screenings and other necessary lab tests or procedures are provided on-site or at other convenient locations.
• Ultrasounds - It is sometimes necessary to perform an ultrasound exam of your baby during your pregnancy to check his or her progress, or determine size, weight or due date.
• Expectant parent classes - This series of educational classes helps expectant mothers and their partners prepare for childbirth. Topics include Lamaze labor and childbirth techniques, anesthesia options to make your delivery more comfortable, and a movie about the childbirth process.
  We recommend that you begin attending the classes by the sixth month of pregnancy. These classes are available at a reduced rate for Mercy Women's Health Services patients. Call 636-239-8004 to register.
• Delivery-One of our family practice physicians will deliver your baby at the Mercy Childbirth Center, located on the fourth floor of St. John's Mercy Hospital. The Childbirth Center offers all the equipment and services you'll need for either a vaginal or Cesarean-section delivery.
• Postpartum care - After your baby's birth, it's important to follow up with your doctor or nurse practitioner to make sure your body is healing and adjusting properly. We recommend you schedule an appointment six weeks after you deliver your baby.