The Women’s Health & Menopause Center is proud to welcome Dr. Samah Arsanious to our growing team of dedicated healthcare professionals. As a board-certified OB/GYN, Dr. Arsanious brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to our practice. She maintains a strong commitment to education, wellness, and empowering women through every stage of life.

Extensive Training and Expertise

Dr. Arsanious completed her OB/GYN residency training at Wayne State University and Detroit Medical Center (DMC). During this time, she gained extensive experience caring for women with diverse healthcare needs. Later, she expanded her skills by completing a Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Little Rock, Arkansas. This additional training enhanced her expertise in women’s wellness and aesthetic care.

A Strong Educational Foundation

Her educational journey reflects a deep passion for healthcare and women’s advocacy. Dr. Arsanious earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. She also holds dual Master’s degrees in Public Health from Loma Linda University. Her concentrations included Maternal & Child Health as well as Health Promotion & Education. She then earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine.

Compassionate, Patient-Centered Care

Patients appreciate Dr. Arsanious for her clinical expertise and her warm, empathetic nature. She creates a supportive environment where women feel heard and informed. She believes every woman deserves to feel comfortable discussing all aspects of her health. This includes concerns that are often overlooked or difficult to talk about.

Her approach focuses on building trust. She helps patients feel confident in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Arsanious provides thoughtful, personalized care during pregnancy, routine gynecologic visits, and menopause transitions.

Beyond the Clinic

Outside of medicine, Dr. Arsanious is passionate about community involvement and mentorship. She empowers women through education and outreach. She also values faith, family, and wellness.

At Women’s Health & Menopause Center, we are excited for our community to meet Dr. Arsanious. Please join us in welcoming her to the practice!

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Gestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Screening, and Pregnancy Care Tips

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It affects how the body uses sugar and can lead to higher blood sugar levels. While the diagnosis can feel overwhelming at first, gestational diabetes can often be managed with the right monitoring, nutrition guidance, activity, and prenatal care.

The most important step is knowing when screening happens and how your care team can help protect both you and your baby.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help support the baby’s growth. These hormones can also make it harder for insulin to work effectively. Insulin is the hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells.

When the body cannot make enough insulin to keep blood sugar in a healthy range, gestational diabetes may develop.

Are There Symptoms?

Many women with gestational diabetes do not notice clear symptoms. That is one reason screening is so important. Some women may experience increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or blurred vision, but these symptoms can also overlap with normal pregnancy changes.

Because symptoms are not always obvious, prenatal testing is the best way to identify gestational diabetes.

When Is Screening Done?

Gestational diabetes screening is commonly performed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. ACOG supports screening and management guidelines for gestational diabetes, and its patient guidance notes that special care is needed during and after pregnancy when gestational diabetes develops.

Some patients may need earlier screening if they have risk factors such as a history of gestational diabetes, prediabetes, diabetes risk factors, or certain health conditions. Your OB/GYN will determine the right timing based on your individual history.

Why Gestational Diabetes Matters

When blood sugar stays elevated, it can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. It may affect the baby’s growth, increase the chance of a larger baby, raise the likelihood of delivery complications, and increase the baby’s risk of low blood sugar after birth.

Gestational diabetes can also increase the mother’s future risk of type 2 diabetes, making postpartum follow-up important.

Pregnancy Care Tips for Gestational Diabetes

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your care plan may include:

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Your provider may ask you to check your blood sugar at specific times during the day. These numbers help guide your care plan.

Nutrition Support

Balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates can help support steadier blood sugar. You do not have to figure this out alone. Your care team can provide guidance.

Safe Movement

Physical activity, when approved by your provider, may help improve blood sugar control during pregnancy.

Ongoing Prenatal Care

You may need additional monitoring, depending on your blood sugar levels and your baby’s growth.

Medication When Needed

Some women may need medication or insulin if lifestyle changes are not enough. This does not mean you failed. It means your body needs extra support during pregnancy.

After Delivery

Gestational diabetes usually improves after delivery, but follow-up testing is important. Women who had gestational diabetes may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. Your provider can help create a postpartum and long-term prevention plan.

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How Often Should You Schedule Prenatal Appointments?

Prenatal care is one of the most important parts of a healthy pregnancy. Regular appointments help monitor both mother and baby, answer questions as your pregnancy progresses, and identify concerns early. For many women, one of the first questions after finding out they are pregnant is simple: how often will I need to be seen?

The answer can vary based on your health history, age, and whether your pregnancy is considered low risk or high risk, but there is a general schedule most providers follow.

Why Prenatal Appointments Matter

Prenatal visits are about much more than checking in. These appointments help your provider track your baby’s growth, monitor your health, and offer guidance during each stage of pregnancy.

Regular care can help identify complications early, including blood pressure changes, gestational diabetes, growth concerns, and other issues that may need closer attention. Prenatal visits are also a valuable time to ask about symptoms, nutrition, exercise, labor preparation, and postpartum recovery.

If you are just getting started, you may also find it helpful to explore our pregnancy care services and women’s wellness resources.

Typical Prenatal Appointment Schedule

For many healthy pregnancies, the appointment schedule often looks like this:

Weeks 4 to 28

Most women are seen about once every four weeks during the earlier part of pregnancy. These visits help confirm the pregnancy, review medical history, monitor symptoms, and track early development.

Weeks 28 to 36

As the pregnancy progresses, appointments usually become more frequent. During this stage, many women are seen every two weeks. Your provider may monitor weight, blood pressure, baby’s growth, movement, and any symptoms that need closer evaluation.

Weeks 36 to Delivery

During the last month of pregnancy, appointments are often scheduled weekly. These visits help your provider monitor the final stage of pregnancy, check baby’s position, and watch for signs that labor may be approaching.

What Happens During Prenatal Visits?

Each appointment may include slightly different steps depending on how far along you are, but common parts of prenatal visits include:

• checking blood pressure
• monitoring weight
• measuring baby’s growth
• listening to the baby’s heartbeat
• discussing symptoms and changes
• reviewing lab work or ultrasound results
• answering questions about pregnancy, delivery, and recovery

Some visits may also include screening tests or discussions about birth planning, breastfeeding, and what to expect after delivery.

When You May Need More Frequent Visits

Not every pregnancy follows the standard schedule. Some women may need more frequent appointments if they have:

• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• multiple babies
• a history of pregnancy complications
• concerns about fetal growth
• bleeding, pain, or other new symptoms

Your provider may recommend additional visits, ultrasounds, or testing based on your specific needs.

What If You Feel Fine?

Even if you are feeling well, it is still important to keep your prenatal appointments. Some pregnancy-related issues do not cause obvious symptoms right away. Regular care helps your provider stay ahead of potential concerns and keeps you informed throughout the process.

Consistent visits also give you the opportunity to build trust with your provider and feel more prepared for labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

Building a Healthy Pregnancy Journey

Pregnancy can bring excitement, questions, and plenty of change. Keeping up with prenatal appointments is one of the best ways to stay supported along the way. These visits are designed to help protect both you and your baby while giving you the guidance you need during each stage.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, Women’s Health and Menopause Center is here to support you with personalized prenatal care. You may also want to read our related resources on healthy pregnancy habits, postpartum care, and breastfeeding support.

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