When would I see a doctor?
Our obstetrical patients will meet one of our board-certified OB/GYN physician during the course of their pregnancies, either for a routine visit or perhaps for an ultrasound. Our doctors all share time being on call for deliveries as well.
What if I need help urgently?
Once you have been seen at our office, we are available to help you 24 hours a day. If you have a true emergency that cannot wait for office hours, one of our providers is always on call and can be accessed through our answering service.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Our office accepts TriCare and most PPO insurance plans. We also accept MediCal for pregnancy only. We do not accept MediCal for gynecology, Worker's Comp, or any HMO plans at this time.
What additional services do your doctors provide?
We provide a full range of gynecologic services. These services include but are not limited to treatment for infertility, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menopausal management, treatment of abnormal pap smears, and gynecologic surgeries.
I'm pregnant. When should I schedule my first visit?
We prefer to see women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and preferably at least six to seven weeks after the first day of the last period. The reason for this is simply that it is not usually possible to find a heartbeat or often even see the baby on ultrasound before the middle of week six, and often the ultrasound needs to be repeated. At your first visit we will spend time discussing your health history and that of the baby's father, recommend lifestyle changes as necessary, and perform a full physical including a pap smear if you are due for one. In addition we will also draw appropriate bloodwork in our office and provide you with a packet of information on nutrition, recommended reading, and other useful information.
Where will I deliver my baby?
We have privileges at St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospitals. The vast majority of our deliveries occur at Pleasant Valley Hospital.
Who will deliver my baby?
The physicians of The Woman's Place share time on call, and therefore your baby might be delivered by any one of the three providers in our office. Occasionally another obstetrician in the community may provide backup coverage for the midwife as well.
Can I still have an epidural if I deliver with a midwife?
Yes. While we are very supportive of childbirth without the use of pain medication, we recognize that every situation is different. Sometimes narcotic pain medication or epidural blocks can be very helpful, or may simply be a woman's preference.
Can I have an ultrasound at your office?
The Woman's Place has a state-of-the-art 3D/4D ultrasound machine. For a routine, uncomplicated pregnancy most women have two ultrasounds, one during the first trimester to check for a heartbeat and to confirm the dates of the pregnancy, and a second one around 20 weeks to look closely at the fetal anatomy. Please note, however, that under certain insurance plans, or due to scheduling, we occasionally need to refer patients to an outside facility for ultrasounds.
In addition, we also offer ultrasounds on a cash-pay basis for women who are not established patients in our office. This may be to find out the sex of their baby or simply because she desires more pictures to share with her family. Please call for pricing.