Routine & High-Risk Pregnancy

Having a Baby !!

Whether your pregnancy is routine, high-risk, or you’re simply planning for the future, receiving exceptional care before, during, and after pregnancy is essential for both you and your baby. Quality care supports your baby’s growth and development, keeps you healthy, and provides your little one with the best start to a happy and fulfilling life.

Good Pregnancy Checklist:

One of the most wonderful times in a woman’s life is the day she finds out she is pregnant, and that of course is quickly trumped by the day that she gives birth to that special little baby. At Advanced Women’s Health of Chicago, Dr. Kafali Nazarof will help guide you every step of the way; from before conception, to the moment this new life begins to grow, to the excitement of your first ultrasound, and of course through the up’s & down’s as they relate to every pregnancy, all the way to the moment you hear your little one for the first time. Advanced Women’s Health of Chicago is dedicated to individualized, prenatal care for each woman that does not begin and end with your appointments. We are focused on you having the healthiest pregnancy possible, by helping you to recognize the important regular exercise and nutrition are to the baby growing inside you. We’ll take the time to give you the education you need, and to make sure you understand the results of every test we take to ensure you and your baby are having a wonderful and healthy nine months together. As with all else, we encourage every patient to ask any question no matter how small or large she may think it is.

Obstetrics Services

Contraception Management

Women are taking charge of their reproductive health. According to the recent research, 70% of women between the ages of 24 and 44 use some form of contraception. At Advanced Women’s Heakth of Chicago, we empower women to make informed decisions about contraception. You have access to all FDA-approved birth control methods to prevent pregnancy and protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases. To learn more about your contraception choices, call or schedule an appointment.
Post-Partum Care – The 4th Trimester

When a woman arrives home from the hospital with her newborn baby, it can be easy to focus on the baby and forget about her own postpartum care. Postpartum means what you think it does: Care FOR YOU (the mother) after your baby is born. During pregnancy the body goes through significant changes and continues to adjust after giving birth, which is why we consider it vital that you visit Dr Kafali within 6 weeks of delivery for a comprehensive exam. It is important for new mothers to take care of themselves during the postpartum period to insure that their body has a full recovery. There are practical considerations besides how the mother feels. Being in good health helps a mother care more effectively for her baby. And good health includes good mental health. As many as 15 percent of new mothers experience postpartum mood disorders, including postpartum depression (PPD). When a mother is depressed, her newborn can be affected in several ways. Dr Kafali will begin talking about the post partum plan early in your pregnancy so you can be prepared for some of the things you may experience after delivery. While it is an absolute time of joy and excitement, you must recover from childbirth and adjust to the hormonal changes. This 4th trimester can present challenges like lack of sleep, pain, depression, a reduced libido (or none at all), and urinary incontinance. Through your post partum visits with Dr Kafali, she will help you navigate the challenges of motherhood, while also assisting the people close to you to be engaged in your post partum care. Do not hesitate to call Dr Kafali with any concerns you have.
Cesarean Sections

Dr Kafali-Nazarof has been performing C-Section deliveries for as long as she has been in practice. And while the natural path is always preferred, we sometimes don’t get what we prefer. In those cases it is of utmost importance that you have a OBGYN that is both a good decision maker, and equally a good surgeon!! Dr. Kafali is both, and your C-section incision will Emergency Cesarean Section (C-section) births are done for reasons including fetal distress, labor failing to progress or placenta previa. This happens typically after a woman has been laboring and the baby has to be delivered abdominally using a general anesthetic. A planned C-section can be done for a number of reasons, but is not typically done for the simple reason of convenience. Most commonly, C-sections are scheduled for breech presentations and/or if you had a C-section with a previous pregnancy. You will be given a spinal anesthesia through a small needle that allows you to be awake and alert during the surgical delivery of your baby. To receive the medication you will be asked to either sit up or to lie on your left side. As the anesthesia begins to work, your lower body will become numb and you will not feel any pain.
In-Office Ultrasound

Dr. Kafali Nazarof offers in-office 2D and 3D ultrasound services. If you’re pregnant and need an ultrasound, we find it most convenient to offer that ability from right within the comfort of our own office. As a result, you are able to have the ultrasound in ultrasound in conjunction with your regular appointment; gaining the ability to discuss your ultrasound results right there and then. Please contact the office for more information about setting up an ultrasound as part of your next appointment.
High-Risk Pregnancy Care

Being called “high-risk” may sound scary. But it’s really just a way for doctors to make sure that you get special attention during your pregnancy. A pregnancy is considered High-Risk when your baby has an increased chance of a health problem. Many things can put you at high risk. Your doctor will watch you closely during your pregnancy to find any problems early. Here are some conditions that may put your pregnancy in the high-risk category: (1) Diabetes (2) Obesity (3)Multiple miscarriages (4) Seizures (5) Preterm labor (6) HIV (7) Hepatitis C (8) Lupus (9) Cancer (10) Epilepsy (11) Genetic Issue like Down Syndrome. The good news is that most high-risk pregnancies result in the birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Pre-Natal Care

Pre-Natal care is most important to both you and your growing baby. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, it is of utmost importance that you establish a schedule for your pre-natal care. Dr. Kafali-Nazarof has specialized training in the area of care as it relates to pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Her main goal is not only to provide the best care for her pregnant patients and their unborn child, but also to prepare you, as mother-to-be, for the delivery of a healthy baby. During prenatal visits, tests are performed on both the mother and the baby to assess any potential risks, to treat any maternal or fetal complications, and to monitor the growth and development of the fetus. In addition, counseling and guidance are provided regarding various aspects of pregnancy, including weight gain, exercise, nutrition, and overall health.

FAQ's

What is C-Section recovery time?

Well, this is definitely something that depends on the person. Some women are feeling great after a few weeks. Others take two or three months to really get back to feeling 'normal'. Are you a fast healer? There are definitely things you can do to help speed up your healing. Get moving as soon as your doctors and nurses at the hospital say it is okay. By 'moving', I mean walking very slowly down the hallway at the hospital to peek in the window at the babies in the nursery - then back again to your room. I know it doesn't sound like much - but just this little bit of moving helps get your body healing faster. The other thing to do to help yourself heal (and I know this will sound like the opposite of what I just said) is to take it easy. This mostly applies to after you leave the hospital and are confronted with your messy living room, kitchen, newborn baby and possibly other kids who all have missed you and want your attention. Overexerting yourself in the first few weeks can really set you back - so get everyone in your household on board with treating you like a queen for a while. If you're feeling overwhelmed, do not hesitate to talk about it. Come see your doctor, talk to your family, or consider some help at home.
What is a C-Section?A c-section (also known as a cesarean section or cesaerean section) is the procedure of delivering a baby via an abdominal incision.

A c-section (also known as a cesarean section or cesarean section) is the procedure of delivering a baby via an abdominal incision.
What can I do to promote a healthy pregnancy?

Whether you know ahead of time that you'll have a high-risk pregnancy or you simply want to do whatever you can to prevent a high-risk pregnancy, stick to the basics. For example: (1) Schedule a preconception appointment with your OBGYN so she can help you to get your body prepped as best a possible by taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid, and getting to a healthy weight if you're not already at one. (2) Visit our office regularly as part of your prenatal care routine. This will be important to tracking your health and the health of your growing baby (3) Eat healthy diet (4) Avoid risky substances like alcohol, drugs, and smoking (5) Gain weight in a reasonable way as gaining too little or too much may not be as supportive to your baby's health
Why is prenatal care so important?

Prenatal care is the healthcare and counseling you receive during pregnancy to protect you and your unborn baby. Pregnancy changes the foods you eat, the activities you participate in, and even the medication you take, and it starts from the very beginning. Dr Kafali will organize all aspects of your prenatal care, including: (1) Blood &urine tests (2) Blood pressure testing (3) Assisting with birth plan (4) Diabetes testing (5) Vitamins & supplements (6) Healthy eating choices (7) Safe forms of exercise (8) Symptom management (9) Test and monitor your babies development
What are the early signs of pregnancy?

Do unusual cravings and strange dreams mean you’re pregnant? That might be more of an old wives’ tale than real science. Before Dr. Park confirms pregnancy with a blood test, you may see some of the real physical clues that you’re pregnant: (1) Fatigue (2) Increased urination (3) Missed period (4) Nausea (5) Sore or swollen breasts Because good prenatal care is important to the health of you and your baby, it is important to schedule a checkup as soon as you think you may be pregnant