What Is Pregnancy?
As your body nourishes and supports the fetus growing inside your womb, you'll experience any number of pregnancy symptoms, some delightful and others debilitating. Every woman's pregnancy is unique, and no doubt you'll have questions, fears and concerns during the 40 weeks before labor and birth. Penn OB/Gyn specialists help deliver more than 9,000 babies every year. Our compassionate staff cares for you throughout your pregnancy, offering you expertise in nutrition, exercise, high risk pregnancy, genetic screening, labor and delivery. The goal is to give you the knowledge, confidence and skills to prepare you for your new role as a parent.
Obstetric Services at Penn
In addition to excellent general obstetric care, Penn offers several specialized pre-natal care services both at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital.
- Childbirth and parent education: Classes taught by experienced Penn nurses that help enhance your birth experience, including courses in pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care.
- Breastfeeding services: Penn offers breastfeeding education classes, supportive discussion groups and a staff of knowledgeable lactation consultants.
- Family planning and pregnancy loss center: Complete and compassionate care in contraception support and sterilization procedures, medical and surgical management of miscarriage and pregnancy termination, and counseling for your emotional needs following the loss of your baby.
- Neonatology and intensive care nursery: Expert care at a level III center, staffed by highly trained infant intensive care physicians from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who provide innovative treatments for sick and premature infants.
- Nurse-Midwifery services: Penn's nurse-midwives take a personal approach, offer support for natural childbirth and provide gynecologic care, prenatal care, nutrition and exercise counseling, breastfeeding support, early parenting information and expert delivery of your child.
- Perinatal depression: Clinical consultation, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral issues related to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, motherhood adjustment, infertility and miscarriage, midlife changes, chronic illness, depression and anxiety, grief, sexuality and relationship challenges.
- Prematurity prevention: High-risk pregnancy specialists identify women at risk of premature delivery and provide education, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
- Genetic diagnosis and screening: In addition to routine tests to monitor the health of your baby, you may receive additional screening for certain conditions such as Downs Syndrome and neural tube defects. Your physician will determine whether or not you need additional screenings depending on your age, your medical history and your overall health.
Treatment at Penn
Whether your pregnancy is routine or high risk, know that the specialists at Penn Medicine's Department for Obstetrics and Gynecology have years of experience caring for women with some of the most complex issues related to pregnancy and childbirth.
When you choose Penn, you choose to work with a dedicated team who continue to lead the field, advancing the science of obstetrics and gynecology.
Penn Programs & Services for Pregnancy
Penn Medicine offers complete maternity care for a healthy pregnancy. We have programs for diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease during pregnancy.