What is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care is very important during your pregnancy. Ideally, prenatal care should start when you plan your pregnancy – if you are healthy before your pregnancy, you are most likely to be a guaranteed a healthy baby. During this transitional period, the mother-to-be experiences many physical, emotional and spiritual changes and it is essential that extra attention be given to her physical health and emotional health.
The primary objectives of prenatal care
The primary objectives of prenatal care include:
- Early and regular prenatal care to monitor both mother and baby throughout the pregnancy. Keep regular appointments with your physician or obstetrician so that any health complications will be spotted early.
- Follow dietary and nutritional requirements throughout the pregnancy period
- Follow physicians advice and ask questions that may bother or confuse you
- Learn to connect emotionally with the unborn baby
- Educate yourself by reading books on conception, pregnancy, birth, nutrition, baby care and women’s care
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What will happen during prenatal visits?
Pregnant women will need to choose a healthcare provider that will be able to provide prenatal care, delivery and postpartum services. These healthcare providers include obstetricians/gynecologists, family physician, or certified midwives who are all specialists in pregnancy and childbirth.
Your first prenatal visit is usually to confirm pregnancy – when your menstrual period is between two and four weeks late. Consulting your physician during the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy is generally advised. The physician will enquire about the symptoms that you are experiencing, your medical history (operations, diseases or previous pregnancies) and family’s health history. A complete physical exam including pelvic exam with pap test is performed.
Blood tests are ordered to check for a complete blood cell count (CBC), blood typing and screening for Rh antibodies, for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis, hepatitis gonorrhea, and chlamydia as well HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Blood samples are also taken to check whether you have been immunized for chickenpox (varicella), measles (rubeola), mumps or German measles (rubella). Urine tests will also be ordered as well as your blood pressure, height and weight checked. Your physician will also be able to figure out the baby’s due date. During this visit, you will also be informed about the importance of nutrition and diet as well as other pregnancy do’s and don’ts. Ask your physician as many questions as possible.
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What happens during follow-up prenatal visits?
Follow-up prenatal visits usually occur:
- Every four weeks until 28th week of pregnancy
- Every two weeks until 36 weeks
- Every week until the baby is born
These visits will include checking the baby’s heart rate, your blood pressure, urine samples for symptoms of diabetes and measuring your weight. Certain tests may also be performed and these include:
- Amniocentesis (amnio) to check for any fetal abnormalities such as Down syndrome or spina bifida. This test is usually performed during 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and is recommended if you are 35 years and older, have a family history of these conditions or an abnormal AFP.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is performed for the same reasons as the amniocentesis – to check for abnormalities of the fetus during the first trimester. Women can choose to have either this test or the amnio performed.
- Ultrasound (sonogram, sonograph, echogram or ultrasonogram) to check whether the pregnancy is progressing normally and confirm the delivery date. This examination is usually performed at 18 to 20 weeks.
If you are over 35 years or experiencing preexisting health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, your health may need to be monitored more frequently by your physician.
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