Prenatal Care: Care for Your Baby Before They’re Born

A healthy pregnancy promotes a healthy birth. Early and regular pregnancy care increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy. This care involves preconception care (pre-pregnancy), prenatal care (during pregnancy), and postpartum care (after birth).

Prenatal care, also known as antenatal care, involves treatments for a healthy pregnancy, labour, and delivery for both the pregnant person and the baby. The first antenatal visit can be scheduled as soon as the pregnant person suspects pregnancy.

Babies of pregnant people who did not receive consistent prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to have fatal health issues than babies born to pregnant people who received care during their pregnancy.

Why are Prenatal Care Checkups Important?

During prenatal care checkups, the doctor, nurse, or midwife will monitor the development of the baby or fetus and perform routine testing to help find and prevent possible health issues or pregnancy complications. During these checkups, the pregnant person can also ask as many questions as they want and continue on their journey of pregnancy with a lot of clarity.

Many of the health issues that affect babies can be prevented or at least managed if caught early. Doctors have the chance of spotting health issues early when they are able to examine the pregnant person regularly. Early detection leads to an early diagnosis, which might help doctors in coming up with a proper treatment plan.

Getting into a prenatal care schedule can, essentially, help prevent complications and inform the pregnant person about the steps that they need to take in order to protect their baby and to enable a healthy pregnancy.

Preconception check-ups are also of utmost importance for a healthy pregnancy. From the time the pregnant person and their partner begin to try for conception, there are some health tips that the pregnant person could follow:

• Quit smoking and alcohol consumption
• Folic acid supplement consumption
• Doctor appointments to discuss the health condition
• Avoid contact with toxic chemicals

4 Types of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care offers a range of services aimed at ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and baby during pregnancy.

Routine Obstetric Care

Regular check-ups help monitor the mother’s and baby’s health, checking vital signs and screening for conditions like gestational diabetes. Early detection ensures timely treatment. Nursing programs train professionals to assist in these essential evaluations.

Prenatal Education & Classes

These classes prepare mothers for labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Topics include breathing techniques, breastfeeding, and baby care. Nurses trained in these areas provide valuable support during pregnancy.

Nutritional Counseling

A proper diet is crucial during pregnancy. Counseling offers guidance on healthy eating, managing cravings, and meeting nutritional needs. It helps ensure both mom and baby get the nutrients they need.

Emotional & Mental Support

Pregnancy can bring emotional challenges. Access to counseling and support groups is important. Nurses are equipped to identify signs of emotional distress and guide mothers to appropriate support and resources.

How Often Should You Have Prenatal Checkups?

Most pregnant women can follow this general prenatal care schedule:

• Weeks 4 to 28: Visit your healthcare provider once every 4 weeks (monthly).
• Weeks 28 to 36: Schedule checkups every 2 weeks (twice a month).
• Weeks 36 to 41: See your provider once a week.

If any complications arise during your pregnancy, your doctor may recommend more frequent visits.

You’re welcome to bring your partner or a support person, such as a friend or family member, to accompany you during your appointments.

What Do You Need to Know for the First Antenatal Visit?

• The first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), so that the care provider can schedule your due date
• Health conditions that you are vulnerable to, or have, are important for the care provider to know so that they can provide the best care for you.
• The medications that you regularly consume so that the care provider can analyse the harm that the medications/may have on your pregnancy.
• Give your care provider complete details of your pregnancy history for them to be able to analyse and predict the kind of complications that you might face.
• Your history with drugs, alcohol, and smoking has to be made clear to your care provider.
• The amount of stress that you are constantly under due to work or at home, and your safety at home and work, has to be discussed with your care provider.

What are the Prenatal Tests That Your Doctor Would Recommend?

Your doctors would recommend a couple of prenatal tests during your prenatal care visits to check your and your baby’s health. At your first prenatal care visit, your doctor will use these tests to monitor a number of things, such as:

• Your blood type and Rh factor
• Anemia
• Infections
• Immunity against various diseases

Throughout your prenatal care visits, your care provider will suggest quite a few other tests as well. A few of these tests are recommended for all pregnant people, such as tests for diabetes, Down syndrome, and HIV.

A few are recommended based on your:

• Age
• Personal or family medical history
• Results of routine tests
• Background

Some of the tests recommended during prenatal care visits are screening tests. They’re used to detect risks or signs of possible medical issues in you or the baby. The two main methods in prenatal care for doctors to detect genetic disorders in your baby are chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis.

In chorionic villus sampling, a small sample of your placenta tissue is taken from the uterus and sent to the lab for testing. In amniocentesis, a sample of the amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby) is taken from your uterus for testing.

What to Expect at Your First Prenatal Care Checkup

Your first prenatal visit is usually the longest, as your provider gathers important information about your health and pregnancy. Here’s what typically happens:

• Physical Exam: Your provider checks your overall health, including your height and weight, to guide healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
• Lab Tests:
  • Blood tests check for infections (like HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis), your blood type, Rh factor, and anemia.
  • Urine tests can help detect preeclampsia, diabetes, and kidney or bladder infections.
  • Blood pressure is checked to screen for conditions like preeclampsia.
• Pelvic Exam & Pap Smear: These help check for cervical health, cancer, and infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Vaccinations: Your provider may offer safe vaccines, like the flu shot. Some vaccines are recommended only at certain stages of pregnancy.
• Due Date Estimation: Determined using the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) or verified through an early ultrasound.
• Prenatal Vitamins: You’ll be prescribed a prenatal vitamin with 600 micrograms of folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects and certain birth defects.
• Prenatal Testing Discussion: Your provider will explain tests used to monitor your and your baby’s health. If there’s a risk of genetic conditions, they may refer you to a genetic counselor for guidance.

Conclusion

Prenatal care plays a key role in supporting a smooth pregnancy, reducing delivery risks, and laying the foundation for your baby’s healthy beginning. Regular checkups and care, starting from preconception and continuing through the postpartum period, help prevent and manage health issues before they escalate. Each component of prenatal care, including regular checkups, nutrition guidance, emotional support, and educational programs, is vital for the health and well-being of both mother and baby.

By attending scheduled checkups, staying informed, and maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider, you’re taking powerful steps toward a healthier, more confident pregnancy journey. Remember, the sooner you begin prenatal care, the better your chances are of giving your baby the healthiest beginning possible.