Obstetrical Care

Dr. Vaughan knows there is nothing like welcoming a child into this world. He specializes in providing the highest quality prenatal care for both low risk and high risk pregnancies. Dr. Vaughan is well supported by his compassionate team members and together, they work to encourage and assist you throughout this special experience.

What to Expect

There is required paperwork that you can complete prior to your first appointment and bring with you. Please find this in the patient resources section. Please bring your ID and insurance card. 

At your first visit, we will obtain a comprehensive medical history and perform a physical exam. During this visit, necessary testing will be conducted, such as an ultrasound, pelvic exam, and routine labs.  Also, routine inspections of weight, blood pressure, and fetal heart tones will be checked at each visit. Typical prenatal care involves two ultrasounds, one at the first visit and one between 18-20 weeks.

Dr. Vaughan will see you at each prenatal visit, and he delivers all of his patients’ babies unless on vacation. You can also reach our on call provider 24/7 for any urgent questions or concerns. Please reserve non-urgent matters for your visits or during operating hours. You will be seen monthly until the third trimester, then we will shrink the interval between visits. At 18- 20 weeks you will have an anatomy ultrasound. However, please keep in mind certain circumstances might require the need to deviate from this schedule.

Obstetrical Services Provided

  • Routine vaginal delivery

  • Cesarean section

  • Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)

  • Tubal ligation

  • Family planning

  • Genetic testing

  • Progesterone level testing

  • Serial quantitative HCG

  • Cerclage of cervix

  • Circumcision

  • Ultrasonography

  • High-risk pregnancy

Genetic Testing

To perform genetic testing is your personal decision, and it is optional. These services may or may not be covered by your insurance. We offer or can help you obtain a full complement of the most advanced testing recommended prior to and during your pregnancy. There are two main options including:

Carrier Screening
This is a test for genetic conditions passed through families. 

One example of conditions tested is cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a life-long illness that is usually diagnosed in the first few years of life. This disorder causes problems with breathing and digestion. Cystic fibrosis does not affect intelligence. Cystic fibrosis testing may not be covered by your insurance. The estimated carrier risk is as follows: Ashkenazi Jewish 1/25, Non-Hispanic Caucasian 1/25, African-American 1/65 and Hispanic-American 1/46.

Cell Free Fetal DNA Testing (also called NIPT - Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)

This tests blood from the mother to see if the baby has a condition called aneuploidy, where the wrong number of chromosomes are present. It provides limited screening for chromosomes 21, 13, 18 and/or XY (sex chromosomes). Down syndrome is the most common form of this condition, where there is an extra chromosome 21. There are other forms of this condition. These usually are not carried through families. This can be performed as early at 10 weeks.

We utilize the services of several high-risk specialists when required and are affiliated with The Perinatal Center of Oklahoma.

 

Ultrasonography

A first trimester ultrasound is typically performed to visualize your baby’s heart beat and to confirm your due date. We will also offer an ultrasound examination when you are between 18 to 20 weeks. The purpose of the ultrasound is to screen for major birth defects, determine the position of the placenta and assess the growth of your baby.

Laboratory Testing

OBSTETRICAL PANEL

CBC: Complete blood count identifies different types of anemia and platelet abnormalities.

Blood Type and Antibody Screen: looks for potential blood group (Rh) incompatibility between your blood and your baby's blood.

HIV: the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS and testing is offered and strongly recommended. Identification of an HIV infection will aid the prevention of transmission to your newborn.

Rubella (German measles): testing is performed to confirm immunity to German measles (rubella). If you are non-immune, you should avoid exposure to infected individuals. A rubella vaccination should be obtained after delivery.

Syphilis: testing is important. Syphilis can cause severe birth defects if it is not detected during your pregnancy, therefore testing is mandatory.

Hepatitis B: the Hepatitis B virus can lead to liver disease and liver cancer. Special precautions are taken at the time of delivery to prevent transmission to your baby if you are found to be a carrier.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia: DNA probes are used to screen for gonorrhea and chlamydia infections of the cervix which can infect a newborn.

Urine Culture: tests for urinary tract infections. Infections, which are more common in pregnancy, are usually less symptomatic and can lead to kidney infections if untreated.

Diabetes Screening: the one hour glucose screen is typically performed between 24-28 weeks. This involves drinking a glucose drink and measuring your blood glucose level 1 hour later.

Group B Streptococcus Culture: is performed between 35 and 37 weeks. This form of infection is caused by a bacteria commonly found in the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. This bacteria can cause severe infections in newborns. We follow the guidelines recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to administer antibiotics during labor for all pregnancies at risk for an infection.

If your occupation or social circumstances predispose you to other infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Fifth Disease (Parvo Virus B19) or Toxoplasmosis, additional testing may be appropriate.

 

Postpartum Visit

Standard obstetrics care involves a postpartum visit in the six weeks following delivery. At the visit, the following will be evaluated and addressed:

  • Healing/Bleeding

  • Breastfeeding

  • Screening for postpartum depression

  • Contraception