Baby Talk – When to Begin Seeing an Obstetrician

Bringing a baby into the world, regardless of the circumstances, is a massive and life-changing event. You may have meticulously planned when you wanted to become pregnant, or it could have been a blessedly happy accident, but, like any mother, you want to give your baby the healthy start it needs to develop into a healthy newborn. Having a trusted obstetrician like Dr. Taryll Jenkins and his attentive and experienced group of doctors at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine in Katy, Texas, will help you make the best decisions for your pregnancy. But when do you need to first see your obstetrician? It is a common question, so let us talk about that.

It cannot be overemphasized how important it is to begin seeing a gynecologist regularly when puberty is reached. While a woman as young as this may not know if she will ever desire children, there are health conditions at this age that can seriously compromise the ability to conceive later in life.

Some of these issues include:

Adhesions
Birth defects
Cysts or tumors
DES syndrome
Eating disorders
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Hormone imbalances
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Polyps on the uterus
Thyroid issues

Preparing For a Family

When you reach the time of your life where you decide you want to start a family, it is a great idea to schedule an appointment with your obstetrician. Seeing an obstetrician before conception lets you determine if you feel comfortable with the doctor’s philosophies and qualifications. If you are seeing a new obstetrician, you will have time to develop a good rapport. Seeing an obstetrician before conception will allow you to establish a medical history with your doctor, enable them to determine if you are fertile, and identify any issues which could make your pregnancy high-risk. Doing so will allow you to enter the earliest stages of your pregnancy with the information necessary to make good decisions.

After Conception

If you wait to see an obstetrician, your first appointment should occur at some point in the first trimester. It is preferable to make an appointment immediately after getting a positive pregnancy test or eight weeks after your last period. The team will perform the necessary testing and do lab work that will look into your overall health. An ultrasound will be taken to confirm your pregnancy, during which a due date can be set. Any necessary genetic testing can be discussed, as well as the need for prenatal vitamins. Establishing an organized care plan early in your pregnancy that you will follow through the second and third trimesters will ensure that you and your baby progress well through the pregnancy.

If you consider starting a family or are already pregnant, please schedule an appointment at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine today at 855-346-8610.

Share this Article

Back to Articles Page

Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
Connect with Dr. Jenkins on Linkedin

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.

Dr. Matthew Mason, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology from both the University of Texas at San Antonio and Austin (where he also earned a secondary degree in Business Foundations), he earned his MD from the Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Mason completed his residency at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, NY, at the Jacobs School of Medicine. Known for his expertise in high-risk obstetrics and advanced surgical procedures, he is a published author and a Junior Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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.

A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Annie Dunham has a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. With a career that began in 2017 as a medical-surgical nurse, Annie transitioned to labor and delivery in 2019, where she developed a passion for women's health. She is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to women at all stages of life. Her expertise and warmth make her a trusted healthcare provider.