Like other pregnant women, you’ll likely find being pregnant brings you not only a whole new world of physiological changes but also emotional and psychological ones! And that’s why prenatal care is so important. It helps you embrace all these changes and have a healthy pregnancy – ensuring your well-being and that of the baby growing inside you.
Prenatal care guides you through the whole nine months, whether this is your first pregnancy, or a second or third. Having this reassurance that all is well helps with the emotional ups and downs you can experience as the months pass.
But it can also detect problems while there’s still time for treatment. This can lower your risk of premature birth, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other long-term health complications.
So – if you’re pregnant or wondering how to prepare your body to conceive, we’ve gathered all the information you need in this ultimate guide on prenatal care. Keep reading to discover how it can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Table of Contents
Why is Prenatal Care Important?
Who Can Provide Prenatal Care?
What to Expect from Prenatal Care
Steps to Take to Have a Healthy Pregnancy
What Is Prenatal Care?
This refers to the medical and lifestyle support you get when expecting a baby or before getting pregnant. It consists of regular consultations, guidance, and checkups with a healthcare provider to monitor and promote the health and well-being of both you and your developing baby.
Every follow-up meeting allows healthcare providers to detect and manage potential issues early, promotes healthy fetal development, and provides education and support to ensure you have a positive pregnancy and childbirth experience.
Why is Prenatal Care Important?
Did you know that babies born from mothers who did not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to be premature or have a low birth weight? Both these conditions can lead to health complications and even sudden death.
That’s why it’s reasonable to say that prenatal care can help save lives. Or, at least, it’s the best way to prepare your body to conceive and develop healthy babies.
But if you want specific reasons why prenatal care is important for you and your baby’s health, you’ll see below how it can help you from the moment you decide to get pregnant until you hold your newborn in your arms.
Early Detection and Management of Health Problems:
Thanks to prenatal visits, your healthcare provider can identify and address any pre-existing health problems you may have – such as high blood pressure or infections – before they can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health, or the onset of gestational diabetes, for example.
Monitoring Fetal Development
Through regular checkups and ultrasounds, your doctor can monitor the growth and development of your baby, ensuring that the pregnancy is progressing as expected and identifying any potential issues.
Prevention and Management of Complications
Your body goes through many transformations during pregnancy, including changes in hormones, immune function, body weight, and blood pressure.
A prenatal care provider can help identify and manage pregnancy complications that may arise due to these changes, such as preeclampsia – a condition caused by high blood pressure, which may lead to damage in your organs (e.g., your liver and kidneys) and pose a severe risks to both you and your baby.
Other examples of disease control that prenatal care can help manage for you are vaginal yeast or uterine infections.
Nutritional Guidance
Prenatal care can help guide you about a healthy diet, proper nutrition, and necessary vitamin supplementation, like folic acid. Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that supports optimal fetal development and prevents birth defects.
Behavioral Counseling
In addition to health exams, monitoring, tests, and ultrasounds, during your prenatal visit you should also receive counseling on lifestyle factors and support in case you need to change them while you’re pregnant.
For example, if you smoke, drink alcohol, or consume illicit drugs, your doctor will advise you to stop, as they can be highly harmful to your baby.
If you struggle with addiction or drug abuse, they can also offer support to overcome the problem. The sooner you look for help, the healthier your baby will be – which is great for motivation!
Immunizations
During prenatal care, your healthcare providers will check if you’re up to date with your immunizations, and they may administer any necessary vaccinations that won’t harm the baby – such as the Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough – to protect you both from infections (part of disease control).
Preparation for Labor and Delivery
Your prenatal visits should also include education on the signs and stages of labor, pain management options, and what to expect during delivery. This helps you prepare both physically and mentally for childbirth.
Screening for Genetic Conditions
Your doctor should also offer screenings and tests to assess the risk of genetic conditions or congenital disabilities during prenatal care. You can then make informed decisions about the pregnancy.
Psychosocial Support:
Good mental health is also essential during pregnancy and postpartum. You can access psychosocial support via your prenatal visits to address your emotional and psychological well-being. This helps you navigate the changes and challenges of being a new mom!
Postpartum Planning and Recovery
Finally, prenatal care also encompasses postpartum care and recovery, including breastfeeding support, contraception options, and guidance on managing the transition to parenthood.
In addition, well-monitored pregnancies and deliveries contribute to smoother and faster postpartum recovery.
When to Start Prenatal Care
Ideally, during preconception, when pregnancy is still a plan. And that’s because your doctor can help to optimize your health to host a new life. This includes addressing any existing medical conditions and potential risk factors that may affect pregnancy.
This preparation includes:
- Lifestyle Adjustments: stopping smoking, drinking alcohol, or consuming drugs.
- Nutritional Guidance: adopting a well-balanced diet and the consumption of specific nutrients such as folic acid, which is crucial in preventing neural tube defects.
- Genetic Counseling: to help understand potential risks and explore options for genetic testing if needed.
- Weight Management: because being either underweight or overweight can impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes, so achieving and maintaining a healthy weight before conception is essential.
However, if your pregnancy was not planned, you should start prenatal care as soon as you find out or suspect you’re pregnant. The sooner, the better for you and your baby.
Who Can Provide Prenatal Care?
As we mentioned before, during pregnancy, you’ll need regular health checkups, monitoring, exams, and visits to a primary care doctor or a team of healthcare professionals who are certified to provide prenatal care. Within women’s health, you will find any of the following specialties:
ObGyn
Obstetrician/gynecologists specialize in pregnant women. They’re often the primary healthcare providers during pregnancy, overseeing the overall management of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Midwives
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) or licensed midwives are healthcare professionals with specialized training in caring for pregnant women. They can provide prenatal care checkup, assist with labor and delivery, and offer postpartum care.
Family Physician
Some family medicine physicians also provide prenatal care checkup. These doctors are trained in various medical disciplines, including obstetrics, and can offer you comprehensive care during pregnancy.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, or perinatologists, are obstetricians with additional training in managing high-risk pregnancies. They’re involved when a pregnancy is considered high risk due to factors such as maternal age, multiple pregnancies, or pre-existing medical conditions.
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) may also provide prenatal care under the supervision of obstetricians or other qualified healthcare providers. They can perform routine checkups, order tests, and provide education and support to expectant mothers.
What to Expect from Prenatal Care
Regular prenatal appointments for medical care should start in preconception or early in pregnancy and continuing through to delivery. These appointments follow routine prenatal guidelines to ensure accurate monitoring of your health and your baby’s.
Although the frequency of your prenatal visits may vary based on your gestational age, your health, and your medical history, the standard routine prenatal guideline includes the following components.
FIRST TRIMESTER
Initial Prenatal Visit
- The first prenatal care checkup, which is a comprehensive medical history, family health history, and physical examination.
- Blood pressure measurement.
- Urine and blood tests, including blood type, Rh factor, complete blood count (CBC), and screening for infections.
- Discussion of lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and substance use.
- Schedule monthly checkups for the first trimester.
What to Ask at Your First Prenatal Appointment?
Your first prenatal care checkup sets the foundation for a collaborative and supportive relationship with your healthcare provider as you embark on the journey of pregnancy and childbirth.
So, don’t miss this valuable opportunity to ask questions, gather essential information, and begin planning for a healthy pregnancy.
Here are some questions you need answers for at your first prenatal visit:
- Can you confirm my pregnancy and estimate my due date?
- What symptoms should I expect during the first trimester?
- What information do you need from my family health history to ensure a healthy pregnancy?
- Are there any pre-existing conditions or medications that may affect my pregnancy?
- What prenatal vitamin and supplement do you recommend, including folic acid?
- What is the proper dosage of folic acid? Is there such a thing as folic acid overdose?
- Are there specific dietary recommendations I should follow?
- Are there any foods or substances I should avoid?
- What types of exercise are safe during pregnancy? What about moderate intensity aerobic activity?
- Are there any restrictions on physical activity?
- Can I continue taking my over-the-counter medicines, or are there alternatives that are safer for me and my baby?
- How can I manage common symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and mood swings?
- When should I contact you about unusual symptoms or concerns?
- What is the schedule for prenatal care visits, and how often should I expect to come in?
- What are the hospital or birthing center options for delivering my baby?
- What postpartum care services do you offer?
- Are there resources or support groups for new parents that you recommend?
- Can you provide information about childbirth education classes or breastfeeding support?
- What is the cost of prenatal care in Texas?
- Are there any specific health insurance requirements or authorizations I need to be aware of?
- What should I do in case of an emergency or if I have concerns outside of regular office hours?
Ultrasound Exams
Early ultrasound to confirm gestational age viability and detect multiple pregnancies.
Genetic Screening
Genetic screening and testing, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and first-trimester screening.
SECOND TRIMESTER
Routine Visits
- Regular checkups, typically once a month, to monitor the progress of your pregnancy.
- Blood pressure measurement, weight check, and urine testing at each visit.
Anatomy Ultrasound
Detailed ultrasound around 18-20 weeks to assess fetal development, identify any abnormalities, and determine your baby’s sex (if desired).
Glucose Screening
Screening for gestational diabetes typically conducted between 24 and 28 weeks.
Rh Immunoglobulin (RhIg) Injection
Rh-negative women may receive RhIg to prevent Rh incompatibility issues.
THIRD TRIMESTER
Regular Visits
More frequent visits, often every two weeks (weekly after week 36, as your due date approaches).
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening
Screening for GBS, a bacterium that can be passed to your baby during childbirth and cause health problems.
Monitoring Fetal Movement
Awareness and tracking of fetal movements to ensure your baby is active and healthy.
Non-Stress Test (NST) and Biophysical Profile (BPP)
Tests to assess fetal well-being, particularly in high-risk pregnancies.
Steps to Take to Have a Healthy Pregnancy
Now that you know the importance of regular prenatal care for women’s health, it’s time to talk about your role as an expectant mother.
There are some simple steps you can start taking as soon as you find you’re pregnant. These optimize your health and improve your chances of having a healthy baby born at the right time. They include the following:
- Attend regular prenatal checkups.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including exercising, consuming healthy foods, and folic acid supplements.
- Educate yourself.
- Seek emotional support.
By being proactive, you significantly contribute to a healthier pregnancy and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome for you and your baby.
Regular communication with healthcare providers ensures that necessary adjustments can be made to your care plan, promoting the best conditions for a successful pregnancy and childbirth.
Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy with Prenatal Care at Stella Mattina
At Stella Mattina, we provide expert women’s prenatal care in Texas to ensure your needs are fully met. Our comprehensive prenatal care planning ensures your well-being and supports you in keeping your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy.
If you’d like to work with providers who understand women’s health, contact us today and let’s make your prenatal journey a rewarding experience.
Dr. Krum is currently in practice in Arlington, TX. He received his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, then attended UTMB Galveston for medical school, finishing in 1986, completing his residency there in 1990. Providing a full range of obstetrical and gynecological care, he specializes in the treatment of endometriosis and robotic surgery. He arranges his schedule so that same-day appointments are usually available.