Nov
Almost 300 of the state’s 1,500 obstetricians and gynecologists are concentrated in the Houston area. That is one of the great things about living in one of the most populous areas of the country. You have choices for providers that you can entrust with your health and the health of your growing baby. When choosing an Obgyn for pregnancy in Katy Texas and West Houston, at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine, we are confident that you will be comfortable with our warm, welcoming staff and surroundings.
Our team of physicians, Drs Taryll L. Jenkins, Roy, Ramirez and Ikwuagwu, as well as our Nurse Practitioner, Nadia Alexander, are bilingual. Dr Jenkins has also attained board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, which means they have demonstrated specialized knowledge and skills for the medical and surgical care of women through training (residency) and Qualifying and Certifying written and oral exams. Dr. Roy is Board-eligible, while Nadia is a Board-certified NP. When combined with our state-of-the-art, technology-assisted diagnostics and treatment options, this technical expertise provides peace of mind to expectant mothers and their families.
Generally, the first (and longest) visit will be scheduled for around the eighth week, though we may want to see you earlier if you have risks such as pre-existing hypertension. During your visit, we will discuss medical history –those lifestyle and other factors that can affect your health during pregnancy and the health of your child. We will conduct a thorough exam, and lab tests will be ordered to measure things like the hemoglobin in your blood and exposure to infections. Screening tests can also provide valuable information about genetic, fetal conditions (such as Down Syndrome). A vital piece of first-trimester care is discussing exercise, diet, dental and periodontal care, and other lifestyle considerations that can help or hinder your pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to feel nauseous, puffy, swollen, and tired early in pregnancy, though these symptoms (and when they appear) vary considerably from woman to woman.
Patients generally will continue to visit us every month. During these visits, our doctors will check that your baby is developing properly. They will monitor the baby’s heartbeat and movement. By around weeks No. 18 to 20, you may notice flutters or kicks. Various screenings and tests may also be conducted, such as blood tests to screen for genetic or chromosomal conditions. A fetal ultrasound helps to evaluate your baby’s anatomy and determine sex. Blood tests can also evaluate your blood count and iron levels (for anemia) and screen for conditions that commonly develop during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes. During this time, nausea may ease, and your belly may become more pronounced.
After week No. 28, we will see you every other week instead of each month. During these visits, we will be asking about and monitoring for symptoms such as bleeding. And pay close attention to your blood pressure, weight, and your baby’s heartbeat and motion. We will discuss vaccinations that you may need and expect to be screened for a common type of bacteria (group B strep) that can harm babies exposed to it during vaginal births. Your doctor will also confirm that baby is positioned headfirst. Physical manipulation may be needed if your baby doesn’t reposition himself or herself after the 36th week.
The closer you get to the big day, we are sure you will have lots of excitement, as well as concerns and questions. You cannot overshare, and we welcome putting you at ease and assuring your baby enters this world in the happiest, healthiest way possible. So, we will also see you more frequently (every week) during the ninth month and until delivery.
You are one-of-a-kind. So, there is no pregnancy like yours. We are privileged to help you navigate this joyous, special journey. Call 855-346-8610 to schedule your consultation in Katy or West Houston with one of our specialists.
We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all
stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L.
Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of
Medicine from Meharry
Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the
University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.
Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie
Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today,
she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with
high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive
volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program
in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.
Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.
Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her
Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the
Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive
years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior
Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee
Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local
and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.
Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.