Family Planning and Prenatal Care

Whether you’re pregnant, hoping to become pregnant, or aren’t quite ready to start a family yet, we have the support you need. UPMC’s family planning and prenatal care services cover a wide range of reproductive health concerns, from birth control to birthing plans. We provide compassionate care at every step along your pregnancy journey, however and whenever it begins.

Here are some of the conditions we treat and the services we offer.

What Is Family Planning and Prenatal Care?

Prenatal care is expert medical care throughout pregnancy, from when you find out you’re pregnant through labor and delivery. Getting regular prenatal care is important for keeping you and your baby safe and healthy. Our ob-gyns and certified midwives help catch problems early, preventing complications like premature birth or a low birthweight baby.

Family planning services give you expert guidance to help you achieve the family size of your choice — when you’re ready.  

What conditions do you treat?

We treat health problems that arise during pregnancy and care for existing conditions — like diabetes or heart disease — that could affect your pregnancy. In those cases, we coordinate care with other specialists to ensure the healthiest pregnancy possible. 

Some pregnancy conditions we treat include:

• Amniotic fluid problems.
• Anemia.
• Fetal growth problems.
• Gestational diabetes.
• Infections.
• Mental health problems.
• Morning sickness.
• Placental problems.
• Preeclampsia.
• Pregnancy loss.
• Preterm labor.

We also treat preexisting conditions that may complicate pregnancy.

These include:

• Autoimmune disorders.
• Cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Heart problems.
• Infectious diseases.
• Obesity.

Who are family planning and prenatal care services for?

Family planning and prenatal services are for anyone who needs contraceptives, who is pregnant, or who plans to become pregnant.

What Family Planning and Prenatal Care Services Do You Offer?

We offer a complete range of family planning and prenatal care services, including testing and follow-up care. We care for patients with routine pregnancies, as well as those with complex medical histories and problems.

Family planning services

We provide compassionate and nonjudgmental care for your reproductive needs.

Our family planning services include:

• Contraception that’s right for you.
• Discussion of tubal sterilization procedures.
• Family planning consultation and management.
• Ectopic pregnancy management.
• Treatment for miscarriage and stillbirth. 

Prenatal care services

We schedule regular prenatal appointments throughout your entire pregnancy with expert ob-gyns and certified midwives. You'll also receive care from registered nurses, ultrasound technicians, and childbirth educators. These appointments will happen every month or so, with more frequent visits as your due date nears. 

Prenatal visits include:

• Advice on healthy eating, exercise, and stress management.
• Blood pressure checks to watch for signs of preeclampsia.
• Time for any questions you might have.
• Weight check to make sure you’re gaining a healthy amount. 

Routine tests you might receive at a prenatal visit include:

• Blood tests.
• Fetal heart rate monitoring.
• Glucose challenge test.
• Glucose tolerance test.
• Tests for infections.
• Ultrasound exam to determine due date.
• Urine tests. 

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may recommend additional tests.

These may include:

• Amniocentesis.
• Genetic testing and counseling.
• Chorionic villus sampling.
• Specialized blood tests.
• Specialized ultrasound exams. 

Why Choose UPMC for Family Planning and Prenatal Care?

UPMC is a nationally recognized Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. We are committed to offering comprehensive, compassionate family planning and prenatal care.

Our prenatal care extends beyond your doctor’s office visits. We also offer classes and support groups for a range of pregnancy-related concerns. If you have fertility problems, lost a pregnancy through miscarriage, or need help breastfeeding, we have the support you need. 

Because we're also a research institution, you may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. UPMC conducts clinical research on a wide range of family planning options, including the development of contraceptive products for HIV prevention.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05.