Dr. Aditya Shah
Expert In Clinical Pharmacology And Drug SafetyView moreWhen a woman is pregnant, she can get care from her doctor without going to the clinic or doctor’s chamber. This is called care during pregnancy, or sometimes-virtual prenatal care or tele-OB. It
Virtual care during pregnancy is helpful because it lets women get the care they need from home. This is not meant to replace going to the clinic in person. It is meant to create a schedule that is a mix of both. This schedule reduces the number of times you have to go to the clinic. You still get to be watched, and so does your baby.
Checklist Before Online Consultation Begins
Therefore, 15 to 30 minutes before your video call begins you need to check your own vitals at home. This is the information that your provider would normally take when you are in the exam room.
| Take Your Vitals: | You need to check your blood pressure and weight and note it down. |
| Data Entry: | You put these numbers into your app. |
| Hydrate And Snack: | Complete having some food and make sure to drink some water to help with Doppler Fatal test. |
| Lighting: | Ensure that your room is bright and you are always facing the light so that the doctors can see clearly. |
| Privacy: | To maintain privacy one of the best places in your house to set up a virtual meeting with the doctor is your bedroom. |
| Attire: | There is no specific attire that you need to wear other than what you feel comfortable with. This way you can easily roll up your sleeve when they need to check your blood pressure. |
Organize Your Information
Your doctor will probably ask you the questions they ask when you go to the office. Be ready, with:
- Kick Counts
- Pharmacy Info
- Recent Lab Results
List Down Your Questions
Do not forget to say something write down your Top 3 concerns, on a piece of paper. Virtual visits often cover things like:
Launching The Consultation
You log into the video link it is a connection. The Platform is special because it follows the rules to keep your information private. The Platform has to do this to protect your privacy.
Ensuring Good Connection
Your internet provider gets you into the call. Now you can see the person, and they can see you just like you are talking to each other in person on a video call.
Virtual Consultation During Different Trimesters Of Pregnancy And Post Child Birth
Typically, there is a timeline for using care and then you have to go back to the clinic. The timeline for care is standard it tells you how long you can use virtual care and when you need to go back, to the clinic for more help. Virtual care has a time limit after that you must go to the clinic.
First & Second Trimesters (Weeks 8–28)
This is the “golden era” for virtual care. Because these visits are primarily about education and routine monitoring, they are highly compatible with video.
- The Schedule: You usually go to see the doctor for a check-up of the schedule every 4 weeks to follow the schedule.
- The Split: Every other visit is usually virtual. For example, the end of the 16th and the 24th month checkups can be done virtually while the 12th and the 20th week tests can be done through a personal visit.
Early Third Trimester (Weeks 28–36)
As you approach the last few weeks of pregnancy, the doctors may conduct tests every 2 weeks. The third trimester is an important time so you will see your doctor a lot. You will go to the doctor every two weeks during the trimester.
- The Schedule: It is possible that a few visits can be still done from home.
- The “Drop-off”: This is the time when your doctor will carefully check for signs of diabetes or preeclampsia in you. If you develop, diabetes or preeclampsia your virtual care “window” for gestational diabetes or preeclampsia may close early so that your doctor can keep a closer eye on you and give you more personal care, for gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
The Last Few Weeks Of Pregnancy- Very Few Virtual Consultations
Virtual care usually. Gets a lot less after you are 36 weeks Pregnancy. It is because doctors need to do checks on patients that cannot be done on the computer, such as physical checks by the doctors.
Virtual Care Options Post Childbirth
When you have a baby, the virtual care service is usually available again, about one to two weeks later. Virtual care is something that is not available right after you give birth, but it does reopen after a short time, which is usually one to two weeks. The virtual care service will. You can use it again about one to two weeks after you give birth.
| Service | Purpose | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Postpartum Checkup | Monitor mother’s recovery | Early complication detection |
| Lactation Support | Breastfeeding guidance | Better feeding & comfort |
| Mental Health Care | Manage stress & mood changes | Emotional well-being |
| Pediatric Consultation | Baby health monitoring | Quick expert advice |
| Recovery Guidance | C-section or normal delivery care | Faster healing |
Benefits Of Virtual Care During Pregnancy
➯ Early Detection Of Complications:
When you check your blood pressure and weight more often than just once a month your doctor can see things that might be a problem like a big jump in your blood pressure and that can be a sign of preeclampsia.
➯ Reduced Infection Risk:
When you do not have to wait in clinic waiting rooms for a time, you are less likely to get sick. At last few months of pregnancy, the risk of having infections and allergies is high which can affect both the mother and the baby.
➯ Zero Travel Time:
This is great for people who have to travel a way to get to work or for those who do not have many options to get around or for people who live in rural areas where it is very hard to get good care for mothers and babies.
