Prenatal Care

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• Prenatal care is the care you receive while you are pregnant. Prenatal care improves your chances for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.
• At each visit, your healthcare provider will check to make sure that you and the baby are healthy. Besides having a checkup, you may have blood tests, ultrasound scans, or other tests.
• Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider. Use these visits to discuss your pregnancy concerns or problems.

________________________________________________________________________

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is the care you receive while you are pregnant. It includes care given by your healthcare provider, support from your family, and giving yourself the care you need. Prenatal care improves your chances for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you are not yet pregnant but plan to get pregnant in the next few months, see your healthcare provider. Your provider may do some tests and talk about things you can do to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

You should schedule your first prenatal visit with your healthcare provider as soon as you think you are pregnant. Depending on your health and medical history, your provider will probably schedule visits at least once a month for the first 6 months. During the 7th and 8th months you will see your provider every 2 weeks. During the last month you will probably see your provider once a week until you deliver your baby. If your pregnancy is high risk, your provider will probably want to see you more often or may refer you to a specialist. Pregnancy is considered high risk if you are over the age of 35, or have diabetes or other health problems.

What will happen at the first prenatal visit?

At your first visit, your healthcare provider will ask about your personal medical history. He or she will also ask about the baby’s father and your family health history. This information can help give your provider an idea of any problems you may have during your pregnancy. You will have a physical exam, including checks of your height, weight, and blood pressure, and a pelvic exam. You will have a Pap test, urine tests, blood tests, and cultures of the cervix and vagina to check for infection. Your provider will make sure that your shots are up to date.

Your healthcare provider will calculate your due date and the age of your baby. If your periods were regular before you got pregnant, and you are sure of the day when your last period started, your due date will be estimated to be 40 weeks from that day.

Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to stay healthy during your pregnancy.

What will happen at other prenatal visits?

At each visit your healthcare provider will check to make sure that you and the baby are healthy. Regular visits can help you and your provider prevent possible problems. They can also help your provider find and treat any problems early. In addition to meeting your medical needs, your provider will advise you about caring for yourself. You will talk about how to have a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise and rest. Your provider can also help you deal with the emotional changes that can happen during pregnancy.

Your healthcare provider will discuss how you are feeling, ask if you have any problems, and answer your questions.

During each prenatal visit your healthcare provider will:

• Weigh you
• Take your blood pressure
• Check your urine for sugar, protein, or bacteria
• Check your face, hands, ankles, and feet for swelling
• Listen to the baby's heartbeat, starting at about 12 weeks
• Measure the size of your uterus to check the baby’s growth

At different times during the pregnancy, other exams and tests may be done. Some are routine and others are done only when a problem is suspected or you have a risk factor for a problem. Examples of other tests you might have are:

• Tests to check for genetic problems and some birth defects
• Ultrasound scans to check the baby's growth, development, and health and to look at your uterus, the bag of fluid that surrounds the baby (amniotic sac), and the placenta (the tissue that carries oxygen and food from your blood to the baby’s blood)
• Blood tests to check for diabetes
• Electronic monitoring to check the health of the baby

You may also be given shots to protect you against some common infections.

How can I take care of myself during my pregnancy?

Here are some things you can do to take good care of yourself during your pregnancy and prepare for the birth of your child:

• Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider. Use these visits to discuss your pregnancy concerns or problems. Write down questions before each visit so that you won’t forget about things you want to talk about.
• Eat healthy meals that include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Choose foods low in saturated fat. Ask your provider if there are foods you should not eat or if you should limit how much you eat.
• Drink plenty of water each day.
• Take vitamins, other supplements, and medicines as recommended by your healthcare provider. Talk to your provider before you take any medicine, including nonprescription and herbal medicines. Some medicines are not safe during pregnancy.
• Unless your healthcare provider tells you not to, try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. You might find it easier to exercise 10 minutes at a time, 3 times a day. You may want to take a prenatal exercise class.
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal drugs.
• Avoid hot tubs or saunas.
• If you have cats in your home, do not empty the cat litter while you are pregnant. It may contain a parasite that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis, which can cause birth defects. Also, use gloves when you work in garden areas used by cats.
• Stay away from toxic chemicals like insecticides, solvents (such as some cleaners or paint thinners), lead, and mercury. Check labels on household products. Most dangerous products have pregnancy warnings on their labels. Ask your healthcare provider about products if you are unsure.
• Relax by taking breaks from work or chores.
• Help reduce stress by sharing your feelings with others.
• Report any violence or other types of abuse in your home.
• Learn more about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Read books, watch videos, go to a childbirth class, and talk with experienced moms.
• Plan for the lifestyle changes a new baby will bring. Prepare for possible changes in your budget, work situation, daily schedule, and relationships with family and friends.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of breast-feeding.

Before and during your pregnancy, try to do everything you can to keep yourself and your baby healthy during your pregnancy.