The Role of Prenatal Care in a Healthy Pregnancy

October 16th, 2024 | Pregnancy

What is prenatal care

Prenatal care is the healthcare you receive while pregnant, including both doctor’s visits and following the advice of your healthcare providers. You should begin prenatal care as soon as you first expect that you may be pregnant, starting with a doctor’s visit. Afterward, regular prenatal care involves routine checkups, supplementation, and other lifestyle changes.

Why is prenatal care important

Prenatal care is essential to maintaining the health of both you and your baby. Women who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have a baby with a low birth weight, and the baby is five times more likely to die (1). If you seek regular medical attention while pregnant, doctors are able to detect problems earlier and intervene appropriately.

Important parts of prenatal care

So, what exactly does prenatal care look like? Let’s review some key aspects of prenatal care:

Routine checkups

In your initial visit, your provider will gather information on your health history, which includes previous pregnancies, chronic conditions, allergies, medications, and lifestyle habits. Based on these factors, your provider can identify your risk for potential complications during pregnancy and institute a plan appropriately.

Afterward, you will go into your doctor’s for routine visits, where your provider can do physical exams, monitor your blood pressure, track your weight, and conduct screening and diagnostic tests as needed.

Screening and diagnostic tests

An important part of prenatal care are ultrasounds, where your doctor can monitor the growth and development of the fetus, the baby’s positioning, and amniotic fluid levels. Your doctor may also do:

• Blood tests to screen for anemia, gestational diabetes, infections, blood type, and more

• Genetic screening to test for chromosomal abnormalities or genetic conditions

• Urine tests to monitor protein levels, glucose, and signs of infections

Nutritional counseling

Ensuring you eat a balanced diet with adequate caloric intake and all essential nutrients throughout your pregnancy is essential. Additionally, your doctor may advise you to take supplements to make up for nutrient deficiencies, as well as folic acid. Folic acid is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

Management of pregnancy symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms can be uncomfortable, with the most common ones being morning sickness, fatigue, and heartburn. Prenatal care can help to relieve these symptoms via safe interventions. Your provider can also identify and manage more serious conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm birth through specialized care.

References

1. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/prenatal-care