8171 Maple Lawn Boulevard Suite 100 Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 314-0001
Welcoming a new life is one of the most profound journeys you’ll ever take—and at Capital Women's Care Howard County, we’re honored to walk alongside you every step of the way. Our prenatal care is designed to support your growing family with compassion, respect, and expert medical guidance.
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fourth, you can expect personalized care in a calm, supportive environment where your questions are always welcome and your choices are always respected. Our team of experienced OB/GYNs and dedicated providers uses the latest evidence-based practices and technology to ensure the healthiest possible outcome for both you and your baby.
From your first positive test through delivery and beyond, we’re here to offer not just exceptional care—but genuine partnership, peace of mind, and a place where you’ll always feel cared for.
Pregnancy is a unique and exciting journey—one where your body goes through many amazing changes to support the growth of your baby. As your baby develops, your hormones shift, your body increases its blood supply, and your belly expands to make room for the little one. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect during each trimester:
In these early weeks, your baby starts as a tiny group of cells and quickly grows into a fetus about three inches long, with all major organs beginning to form. You may experience symptoms like breast tenderness, morning sickness, tiredness, heartburn, or constipation—these are all normal, though not always pleasant.
You'll typically have 1–2 ultrasounds to confirm that the pregnancy is progressing normally. We'll also do some routine and optional blood work, which we’ll go over together at your first OB visit.
Often called the "golden trimester," many people start to feel better during this stage—nausea usually fades, energy often returns, and your baby bump starts to show. You may feel your baby move for the first time, which is an exciting milestone!
Around this time, we’ll do a detailed ultrasound called an anatomy scan to check on your baby’s development.
In these final months, your baby grows rapidly and you’ll likely notice more frequent movements. Some common symptoms include shortness of breath (since the baby may press on your diaphragm), backaches, and fatigue.
We'll do additional blood tests to check for things like gestational diabetes, anemia, and infections. You may also have one or more ultrasounds to monitor your baby’s growth, amniotic fluid levels, and position. As your due date nears, your baby will usually move into a head-down position in preparation for birth.
A pregnancy is considered high-risk when there’s a greater chance of complications—for either you or your baby. It doesn't necessarily mean something will go wrong; it just means we’ll take extra steps to keep both of you as healthy as possible.
If your pregnancy is high-risk, you’ll have more frequent check-ups and additional ultrasounds so we can monitor things closely. You may also see a specialist in high-risk pregnancies, called a Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) doctor, who will work with us to provide extra support when needed.
Some reasons a pregnancy might be considered high-risk include:
Remember, being high-risk just means we’ll be more proactive with your care—it’s all about giving you and your baby the best possible outcome.
