Medlley Healthcare Maternity Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine is a group practice. Throughout your pregnancy, you may see different physicians. Our physicians’ clinic schedules vary. They may be in the office, hospital for deliveries or ultrasound suites. Or, they may have other administrative, teaching or research duties. Know that they all work together as a team to provide you with the best possible care.
 
Northwestern Medicine prides itself as a premier academic medical center. Every aspect of your care will be under the direct supervision of an attending physician. However, your medical team may also include Maternal–Fetal Medicine clinical fellows, OB/GYN resident physicians and medical students. Many studies show that academic medical centers provide the best care. The presence of physicians-in-training is an integral reason for this.
 
On the day of your delivery, the physician on-call in the hospital (OB/GYN or MFM physician) will manage your labor and delivery. However, your maternal–fetal medicine physicians will be available at all times. Our entire team is dedicated to ensuring you receive the best possible care. 

Prenatal visits are typically scheduled:

• Up until week 20: once every four weeks
• 20 to 36 weeks: once every two to three weeks
• 36 weeks until your delivery: once a week
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You may need visits more often. We recommend that you schedule two to three appointments at a time.

We offer preconception and prenatal genetic testing. We also offer screening for hereditary cancer syndromes. Your healthcare provider will make recommendations based on your individual risk factors. These may include your age, ethnicity and family history.

We recommend you receive the influenza (flu) vaccine and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to protect you and your baby. Other adults and children who will be in close contact with your baby should also be vaccinated.

If your baby is not in the cephalic (vertex) presentation by 37 weeks, there are two options:

• Attempt an external cephalic version procedure. This tends to be scheduled after 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• Plan for a cesarean section.

Before leaving the hospital, schedule a follow-up visit for postpartum care. In most cases, we want to see you about six weeks after delivery. In certain cases, we may recommend that you be seen sooner. If you have unusual pain, bleeding, fever or feelings of depression, please schedule an earlier appointment.

Women who have diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. You will likely be screened for diabetes at your postpartum visit (about six weeks after delivery).