OSF Community Prenatal Clinic

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is pleased to offer the OSF Community Prenatal Clinic. Designed to serve uninsured and underinsured pregnant mothers in Bloomington-Normal and the surrounding area, this clinic is an important extension of our Sisters' Mission to serve those in need in our community. We know the importance of prenatal care in ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and baby and feel it is our role to help provide the care they need.

The clinic provides Spanish-speaking staff to assist patients who have language barriers. Dr. Lisa Emm and Dr. Barry Soltky serve as medical staff.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (309) 829-6407.

Office Hours

The OSF Community Prenatal Clinic is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 PM.

Location

OSF Community Prenatal Clinic
502 S. Morris Avenue, Suite B
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Phone: (309) 829-6407
Map & Directions:
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Prenatal Care

All pregnant women need prenatal care. Women who see a healthcare provider regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely, and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy. Prenatal care should begin in a woman's first trimester (three months) of pregnancy. Visits to a doctor should occur about once a month during the first six months of pregnancy and increase to every two to three weeks for the remainder of the pregnancy. A woman with a chronic medical condition or a "high-risk" pregnancy may have to see her healthcare provider more often.

What To Expect

At the first visit your health care provider will:

• Ask you about your health, your partner's health and the health of your close family members
• Identify medical problems
• Discuss with you any medications you are taking
• Do a physical exam and a pelvic (internal) exam
• Weigh you
• Check your blood pressure
• Check a urine sample for infection
• Do some blood tests to check for anemia and see if you have had certain infections. You will be asked if you want a test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
• Do a pap smear to check for cervical cancer and other tests for vaginal infections
• Figure out your due date: an estimate of the day your baby will be born. Most babies are born within two weeks (before or after) their due date
• Make sure you're taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid

During later prenatal visits your provider will:

• Weigh you
• Check your blood pressure
• Measure your belly to see how the baby is growing (middle and late pregnancy)
• Check your hands, feet and face for swelling
• Listen for the baby's heartbeat (after the 12th week of pregnancy)
• Feel your abdomen to assess the baby's position (later in pregnancy)
• Do any tests that are needed, such as blood tests or an ultrasound

Be sure to write down any questions you have for your provider as you think of them and bring your list of questions to each appointment.