Prenatal Care

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is the care you receive when you are pregnant. It includes care given by your health care provider, support from your family, and an extra focus on giving yourself the care you need during this special time. Good prenatal care gives you the best chance for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

When should I see my health care provider?

Good care during pregnancy includes regularly scheduled prenatal exams. You should schedule your first prenatal visit with your provider as soon as you think or know you are pregnant. Depending on your health and health history, your provider will then schedule visits at least once a month for the first 6 months. During the 7th and 8th months you may see your provider every 2 weeks, and during the last month once a week until your delivery date. If you are over 35 or your pregnancy is high risk because you have certain health problems (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), your provider will probably want to see you more often. In some cases your provider may refer you to a medical specialist for more help with special needs such as diabetes.

Your health care provider will check at each visit to make sure that you and the baby are healthy. By seeing you regularly, your health care provider has the chance to find any problems early so that they can be treated as soon as possible. Other problems might be prevented. In addition to meeting your medical needs, your provider will help you know how to care for yourself, including having a healthy diet and dealing with the emotional changes that can happen during pregnancy.

What will happen at the first prenatal visit?

Your first visit may be as long as an hour. Your provider will ask for a history of your health and your family's health. This information can help give your provider an idea of any problems you might have during your pregnancy. You will have a physical exam, including checks of your height, weight, and blood pressure and a pelvic exam. You will have a Pap test, urine tests, blood tests, and cultures of the cervix and vagina.

Your provider will calculate your due date and the age of your baby. How the pregnancy is going can be judged as normal or abnormal only when the age of your baby is clearly known. If your periods were regular before you became pregnant, and you are sure of the first day of your last period, your due date will be estimated to be 40 weeks from the day you started your last period.

Your provider will talk to you about how to stay healthy during your pregnancy.

What will happen at other prenatal visits?

Your provider will check how you are doing and how the baby is developing. He or she will discuss how you are feeling, ask if you have any problems, and answer your questions.

During each prenatal visit your provider will:

weigh you
take your blood pressure
check your urine for sugar, protein, or bacteria
check your face, hands, ankles, and feet for swelling
listen to the baby's heartbeat
measure the size of the uterus to be sure the baby is growing well.

At different times during the pregnancy, additional exams and tests may be done. Some are routine and others are done only when a problem is suspected or you have a risk factor for a problem. Examples of other tests you might have are:

chorionic villus sampling of cells from the placenta between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy for information about your baby's chromosomes and detection of some birth defects
amniocentesis between the 15th and 18th weeks for testing of the fluid around the baby for chromosome information and detection of some birth defects
blood tests, such as the triple or quad screen tests, to check for genetic problems or birth defects
ultrasound scans to check the baby's growth and health and to look at your uterus, the amniotic sac, and the placenta
blood tests to check for diabetes
nonstress tests that use electronic monitoring to check the health of the baby (checks the baby's heart rate when the baby moves)
other types of tests using electronic monitoring to check the baby.

How can I take care of myself during my pregnancy?

Self-care is the prenatal care that you give yourself every day during your pregnancy. To take good care of yourself:

Make sure that you keep all appointments with your health care provider. Use these visits to discuss your pregnancy concerns or problems with your provider. Write down questions before each visit so that you will not forget about certain concerns or problems you have.
Eat healthy meals that include grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Choose foods low in saturated fat. Do not eat uncooked or undercooked meats or fish.
Drink plenty of water each day.
Take vitamins, other supplements, and medicines as recommended by your provider.
Unless your health care provider tells you not to, try to be physically active for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. If you are pressed for time, you can get your activity in through 10 minute segments, 3 times a day. Consider taking a prenatal exercise class.
Do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, and do not take illegal drugs.
Ask your health care provider before taking any medicine, including nonprescription and herbal medicines. Some medicines are not safe during pregnancy.
Avoid hot tubs or saunas and x-rays during pregnancy.
If you have cats in your home, do not empty the cat litter while you are pregnant. It may contain a parasite that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis, which can cause birth defects. Also, use gloves when you work in garden areas used by cats.
Stay away from toxic chemicals like insecticides, solvents (such as some cleaners or paint thinners), lead, and mercury. Most dangerous household products have pregnancy warnings on their labels. Ask your health care provider about products if you are unsure.
Relax by taking breaks from work or chores.
Help reduce stress by sharing your joys and fears with others.
Report any violence or other types of abuse in your home.
Learn more about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Read books, watch videos, go to a childbirth class, and talk with experienced moms.
Plan for the lifestyle changes a new baby will bring. Prepare for possible changes in your budget, work situation, daily schedule, and relationships with family and friends.

Before and during your pregnancy, try to do everything you can to keep yourself and your baby healthy during your pregnancy.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File WOM5274F.HTM Release 9.0/2006