Prenatal Care
- Every pregnancy deserves a team that listens.
Pregnancy is one of the most meaningful journeys of your life, full of joy, questions, and changes that can feel overwhelming at times. At Women’s Health Group, Dr. Awad and our care team have guided Chicago mothers through pregnancy for more than 30 years. In some families, Dr. Awad now delivers the babies of women his father once delivered. From your first positive test to your first weeks at home with your baby, we’re with you at every step, with careful monitoring, clear answers, and genuine warmth.
- 30+ years caring for women
- Routine and high-risk pregnancy care
- Board-certified OB-GYN care
- Compassionate Caregivers
Our Services
What is prenatal care?
Medically reviewed by Michael M. Awad, DO, OB-GYN
Prenatal care is the medical care you receive throughout pregnancy to protect your health and your baby’s development. It includes regular checkups, lab work, ultrasounds, screening tests and guidance on nutrition, activity and what to expect as your bodychanges. These visits help your care team spot conditions such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes or anemia early, when they are easiest to manage.
Most patients have their first prenatal visit around 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. After that, visits typically happen every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until delivery. Patients with high-risk pregnancies may be seen more often.
Prenatal care is also a relationship. It is your space to ask questions, share worries and make decisions about your birth with a team that knows you.
Every question you have is a good question.
Did you know?
According to the CDC, July 2026. About 1 in 4 babies born in the U.S. are born to moms who didn’t start prenatal care in the first trimester. Seeing your provider early helps catch concerns sooner and gives both you and your baby a healthier start.
Pregnancy Symptoms You Should Never Have to Wonder AboutAlone
Many pregnancy changes are normal, but some need prompt attention. Call your OB-GYNright away, or seek emergency care, if you notice any of the following:
- Vaginal bleeding or leaking fluid
- Severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain
- A severe headache that will not go away
- Vision changes such as blurriness or seeing spots
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- Fever of 100.4°F or higherFewer baby movements than usual after 28 weeks
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
These signs do not always mean something is wrong, but they deserve a quick evaluation.Our team would always rather hear from you early than have you wait and worry.
- Manage Your Pain With A Strategies That Help
Strategies for Comprehensive Care
Screening & Monitoring
Routine lab work, blood pressure checks and ultrasounds track your health and yourbaby's growth at every stage.
Movement & Comfort
We guide you on safe exercise, sleep positions and relief for common discomforts likeback pain, nausea and heartburn.
Emotional Well-being & Support
Pregnancy brings big emotions. We screen for anxiety and depression and connect youwith support whenever you need it.
Nutrition & Prenatal Vitamins
We help you build a balanced eating plan and choose a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of folic acid to support your baby's development.
Planning a Pregnancy: Preconception Care
The healthiest pregnancies often start before conception. A preconception visit lets usreview your medical history, update vaccines, adjust medications that may not be safe inpregnancy and start folic acid at least one month before you try to conceive. If you have acondition such as diabetes, thyroid disease, PCOS or endometriosis, we work with you toget it well controlled first. If you have been trying for 12 months without success (or 6months if you are 35 or older), our team can begin a fertility evaluation and coordinatecare with a specialist when needed.
- Understanding What Your Pregnancy Needs
Every Pregnancy Is Different
Low-Risk Pregnancy Care
Most pregnancies follow a routine schedule of visits, screenings and ultrasounds, withplenty of time for your questions along the way.
High-Risk Pregnancy Care
If you have a chronic condition, are carrying multiples, are 35 or older or develop acomplication, we add closer monitoring and coordinate with maternal-fetal medicinespecialists as needed.
Your PreNatal Care Journey:
First Trimester (Weeks 1 to 13)
Confirmation of pregnancy, dating ultrasound, initial blood work and optional geneticscreening, including cell-free DNA testing from 10 weeks.
Second Trimester
An anatomy ultrasound at 18 to 22 weeks and glucose screening for gestational diabetesat 24 to 28 weeks.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28 to Birth)
Growth and position checks, the Tdap vaccine, Group B strep testing at 36 to 37 weeksand a personalized birth plan.
Our prenatal program covers everything you need in one place, so you spend less timerunning between offices and more time preparing for your baby. Each plan is tailored toyour health history, your preferences and how your pregnancy progresses.
Routine prenatal visits
Scheduled checkups to track blood pressure, weight, your baby’s heartbeat and growth,with time to talk through symptoms, nutrition and questions.
In-office ultrasounds
Dating, anatomy and growth ultrasounds performed in our office, so you can see yourbaby’s progress without a separate imaging appointment.
Genetic and prenatal screening
Optional carrier screening, cell-free DNA testing and other screenings, explained clearlyso you can decide what is right for your family.
High-risk pregnancy monitoring
Closer follow-up for conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, thyroiddisease or multiples, with specialist coordination when needed.
Delivery planning and postpartum care
Birth plan discussions, hospital delivery coordination and postpartum visits tosupport your physical recovery, feeding and emotional health.
Common Prenatal Care Questions We Hear Most
When should I schedule my first prenatal appointment?
Call us as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test. Most first visits happen between 8and 10 weeks, but we may see you sooner if you have bleeding, pain, a history ofmiscarriage or a chronic condition.
How often will I have prenatal visits?
For most pregnancies, visits are every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36weeks and weekly until delivery. High-risk pregnancies may need more frequent visits.
Is genetic screening required?
No. Genetic screening is offered to every patient, but it is always your choice. We explainwhat each test can and cannot tell you so you can decide with confidence.
Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?
For most healthy pregnancies, yes. Moderate activity such as walking, swimming orprenatal yoga is encouraged. We will let you know if anything in your health history callsfor changes.
Michael M. Awad, DO, OB-GYN
s a board-certified OB-GYN who has guided many Chicago families through pregnancy and birth. Known for unhurried visits and clear explanations, he takes time to understand each patient’s goals and concerns.
He works alongside our physician assistants, Morgan Johannes, PA-C, Jennifer Sykstus, PA-C, and Georgiana Gomorczak, PA-C, so you have a team who knows your story at every visit. Meet the full care team.
Your comfort, privacy, and dignity come first
Pregnancy is personal. Every visit is designed so you feel heard, informed and respected,whether you are celebrating good news or working through a difficult moment.
Your concerns are taken seriously.
No symptom is too small to mention, and you willnever be rushed out the door.
We explain first, then proceed together.
Every exam, test and ultrasound is explained before it begins, and you can pause or ask questions at any time.
Intimate questions are welcome here.
Sex during pregnancy, bladder leaks, body changes or past losses: whatever is on your mind, you can bring it up here without judgment.
Your information stays private.
Your health records and conversations are protected andshared only with your permission.
You Deserve a Healthy, Supported Pregnancy
Prenatal care for women across Chicago’s Southwest Side, including Garfield Ridge, Clearing, Burbank, Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, and Summit. New patients welcome. Most major insurance accepted.
