Here at North Texas Perinatal Associates, we believe our patients should be well informed and knowledgeable about the world of perinatal care. We also want to share some vital information with you about our office, our staff, and our services. Listed below are some of the questions we frequently encounter. Please click on the question to find the answers you need. If you are curious about a topic that does not appear on this list, please contact us at the NTPA office nearest you.
What can I expect at my visit?
No doctor or doctor’s office can operate without at least some paperwork, so please be prepared to fill out a form or two. The most important form is your medical history. Your primary doctor may have forwarded some of your medical information to us (with your permission, of course), but that generally just deals with the problem at hand. Since your perinatologist may be making important medical assessments and recommendations, it is important that you provide us with a complete medical history. Yes, we need to know about that tonsillectomy as it may affect anesthesia decisions. Yes, we need to know about that hernia surgery when you were a baby as it may influence surgical plans. So paperwork is part of the deal. Depending on the reason for your visit, you may consult with a genetic counselor before you see the perinatologist. An integral part of your visit is the sonogram. Some of our offices utilize sonographers to initiate the ultrasound examination. A sonographer is a person specially trained (and in our offices, specially certified) to perform obstetrical sonography. The sonographer performs the measurements and documentation required for a complete obstetrical ultrasound. Her findings are then presented to the perinatologist who verifies the findings and completes the examination. Some offices do not utilize sonographers, in which case the perinatologist will perform the complete ultrasound. |
