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Getting Ready for Breastfeeding Getting Ready for Baby — Baby Necessities Getting Ready for Baby — Bringing Baby Home Childbirth — Cesarean Delivery Getting Ready for Baby - Packing for the Hospital What is a Pregnancy Calculator? What is a Chinese Conception Chart? What is Implantation Bleeding? Getting Ready for Baby — Planning your Parenting Style What is an Ovulation Calculator? What is an Ovulation Predictor Kit? What Should I Expect My Second Trimester? What Should I Expect My Third Trimester? What is a High Risk Pregnancy? 10 Tips for Better Sleep During Pregnancy? What is Safe to Eat During Pregnancy? 10 Things Your Non Pregnant Girlfriends Should Know Now That You're Pregnant What Should I Expect in My First Trimester? What is a Professional Labor Assistant? What are Some Safe Medications to take During Pregnancy? Finding or Starting a Mom's Group How to Handle a Sympathetic Pregnancy Is Breastfeeding During Pregnancy Safe? Top 10 Gifts for Pregnant Women 5 Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman Differences Between an OB and a Midwife Is There a Male Biological Clock? What is Secondary Infertility? Coping with Depression during Pregnancy Coping with Postpartum Depression What Affects How Long You Stay in the Hospital after Delivery? What is Artificial Insemination (IUI)? Unwanted Hair Growth During Pregnancy What is Hyperpigmentation During Pregnancy? |
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Prenatal Care Written by: Olivia Wallace |
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Prenatal care is essential in giving you and your baby the best chance of getting through pregnancy healthy. Even if you are generally healthy, proper prenatal care will help ensure that you remain so, and that your baby develops normally. As many as one-third of pregnant women will develop a complication, ranging from minor to life threatening, so make good prenatal care a top priority. Prior to Conception
It's a smart idea to get your pregnancy off to a good start by getting a complete physical before you conceive. Your doctor will assess your weight, discuss any chronic illnesses such as asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes, will take a family history and discuss any genetic disorders you and/or your husband may have.
Routine Prenatal Care You should see your doctor as soon as you find out that your are pregnant — typically around six to eight weeks. This is approximately two to four weeks after you've missed your period. You can expect the following at this initial exam:
With a healthy, normal pregnancy, you can expect the following schedule of prenatal visits:
At every checkup, you can expect the doctor to weigh you, take your blood pressure, test your urine and discuss how you feel, and if you're far enough along, your baby's movements. After 22 weeks, your uterus will be measured at every visit to monitor the growth of your baby. High risk moms will usually undergo a diabetes screening at 12 weeks, while most moms will be screened at 28 weeks. Although many moms will have an early ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, most will not have their first ultrasound until 18 to 20 weeks. There are many additional tests that screen for abnormalities or congenital conditions that are available, including the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), triple screen, amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). In addition to regular visits to your doctor, proper prenatal care involves many changes you should implement in your life, including:
Depending on your current health status, your doctor may have other advice for you to follow as well. Remember to address any concerns or questions you may have to ensure that you are giving your baby the best possible prenatal care. Once her water breaks, one thing a woman can guarantee is that her baby will be delivered soon, typically within 24 hours. If your labor hasn't started before the water breaks, and doesn't begin soon after, you may have to be induced. |
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