Why is prenatal care so important?
Prenatal care at Memorial Women’s Specialists gives you the support and assurance that your pregnancy is progressing in a healthy manner. Babies and moms who receive prenatal care are more likely to have a healthy outcome as compared to those who do not.
If you should encounter a complication, prenatal care gives you access to highly experienced who can handle it early, when it’s most manageable.
What does prenatal care entail?
Memorial Women’s Specialists provides comprehensive prenatal care. They regularly evaluate the progress of your pregnancy through measurements, in-office ultrasounds, and blood and urine testing.
They also keep tabs on your health to ensure you’re not developing a maternal problem such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
Prenatal care also involves:
- Regular checkups of your weight, heart rate, and blood pressure
- Checks of your baby’s heartbeat and growth
- Nutritional support
- Screening tests for mom and baby
- Treatment for common pregnancy ailments
- Support for pregnancy problems or complications
- Labor and delivery counseling and support
Memorial Women’s Specialists can answer any questions that may arise during pregnancy. They can give you recommendations about exercise, supplements, and medications that are safe during this time.
How frequent are prenatal visits?
In most cases, you should plan to come into Memorial Women’s Specialists:
- Once per month during the first 28 weeks
- Once every two weeks during weeks 28-36
- Once a week from week 36 until delivery
Certain high-risk conditions, such as a mom who is 35 or older, pre-existing maternal conditions, and problems with the baby, may mean you need more frequent prenatal appointments and screenings.
What should I expect at prenatal care visits?
Each prenatal care visit is tailored to your particular health needs, where you are in your pregnancy, and any issues with the baby’s health.
At your first prenatal appointment, Memorial Women’s Specialists updates your medical and family history, and estimates your due date. They also do a pelvic exam and a Pap smear, and run any necessary blood and urine tests. Your weight, blood pressure, and heart rate are recorded as baseline numbers.
Most other prenatal appointments are simple check-ups on your weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. You’ll also have your abdomen measured and the baby’s heartbeat recorded.
Periodic in-office ultrasounds are standard to check the baby’s development and sex. You may also take advantage of advanced 4D ultrasounds that give you a clear picture of your baby in the womb.
When you find out you’re pregnant, call Memorial Women’s Specialists to schedule your first prenatal exam or book online today for highly experienced prenatal care.
