Prenatal Care

You and your unborn baby are in good hands when you partner with St. Bernards for prenatal care throughout your pregnancy. Choose the location that’s most convenient for you:

• St. Bernards Pregnancy Clinic (open to all women who’ve had a positive pregnancy test, including patients without insurance)
• St. Bernards Specialty Clinic - Walnut Ridge
• St. Bernards Specialty Clinic - Osceola
• St. Bernards Specialty Clinic - Paragould
• St. Bernards OB-GYN Associates

Prenatal Visits

Your obstetrician (specialist in maternity care) will develop a care plan that fits your needs and preferences. Usually, appointments take place on this schedule:

• Up to 28 weeks gestation: Once every four weeks
• 29 to 35 weeks: Once every two weeks
• 36 weeks to delivery: Weekly visits

During each appointment, we’ll measure:

• Blood pressure
• Weight
• Sugar and protein in your urine
• Uterine (womb) growth, also called fundal height

Use this valuable time with your doctor to ask questions, learn how your baby is growing and discover what to expect in the following weeks. 

Birthcare Center Visitor Guidelines

Suggested Birthcare Packing List

OB Pre-Registration Form

Birth Preference Checklist

Health Monitoring

Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll help make sure you and your baby stay healthy as possible. Learn about:

• Clinical pregnancy blood test – Checks hormone levels and ensures the pregnancy is moving along normally
• Ultrasound – Checks the baby’s heartbeat, size and health and can identify gender at 18–20 weeks
  • A six-week ultrasound can confirm dating, detect a heartbeat and rule out concerns such as ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy
• Genetic test – Done at 10 weeks gestation to show the baby’s gender and look for inherited health problems
• Quad screening (optional) – Uses a blood test in the second trimester to screen for conditions such as Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and brain or spine problems in the fetus
• Kick count – Records the number of times your baby moves over a two-hour period
• Glucose test – Uses a blood test to screen for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks
• Group B strep – Checks the birth canal for certain bacteria between 35 and 37 weeks to determine if you need antibiotics during labor
• Blood pressure monitoring – Checks for pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that also has symptoms like severe headaches, vision changes, upper belly pain, swelling in the hands and face, and sudden weight gain

What to Do in a Medical Emergency

If you think you have a pregnancy-related emergency, call 911 or go to St. Bernards Medical Center. (It might be an emergency if you have severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or symptoms that could suggest an ectopic pregnancy.) Use the main tower entrance, and someone in admissions will help you find the obstetric emergency department.

If your concern isn’t an emergency, call your doctor’s office.

Choose a Doctor for Your Baby

Your newborn’s first checkup should take place within a few days of birth. Choose a physician for your baby before your due date, so you don’t have to worry about finding a doctor while caring for an infant.

Maternal Life 360

Maternal Life 360 is a visitation program for expectant mothers and their families. Mothers are paired with trained community outreach workers in their local communities to provide them with education and guidance on topics such as pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, healthy parenting, nutrition, and more. Pregnant women are followed by our community outreach mentors until the child turns two.

No Cost Services Include:

• Home Visiting
• Medicaid, WIC, Public Service Asst. Provided
• Safe Sleep Assessment
• Car Seat Installation
• Health Screenings (blood pressure and blood sugar screenings for the mother)
• Newborn Assessments
• Weight and Height Assessments
• Breastfeeding Assessments
• CPR Classes

Education includes:

• Healthy Pregnancy
• Preparing for Childbirth
• Stages of Labor
• Recovery and Postpartum Care (after delivery)
• Newborn Care
• Developmental Milestones
• Nutrition

Please contact Kyra Tucker, BSW at 870.207.0421 for more information

Medications You Can Take During Pregnancy

It’s OK to take the following medicines while you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor before using medications or supplements that aren’t on this list.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Signs of pregnancy can appear early. A missed period is often the first sign. Other common symptoms include nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue. Some women notice mild cramping or light spotting. Symptoms vary from person to person. Take a pregnancy test and schedule an appointment at St. Bernards to confirm and begin prenatal care.