Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is health care that follows the progress of a pregnant woman and her growing child, spanning conception to delivery recovery. All pregnant women can benefit from prenatal care. Through prenatal care, mothers-to-be are more likely to deliver healthy children. Prenatal care should start as soon as you know you are pregnant, or even before, if you are planning to conceive.

Choosing a Prenatal Care Provider

A pregnant woman has several options when it comes to choosing a prenatal care provider who will care for her and her baby during pregnancy, child birth, and post-delivery. Most women choose an obstetrician. An Obstetrician is a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and child birth. A family physician works in all aspects of health care, can give you prenatal care, and can become your child's pediatrician after birth. A nurse-midwife is a registered nurse who focuses on pregnancy, and child birth. Questions to help you determine which prenatal care provider is right for you: Is the provider attentive and open to your questions? Does the provider's location and schedule work for you? Does your health care provider cover the cost of your visits?

What To Expect

Contact your prenatal care provider to schedule your first appointment. This initial appointment can be rather lenghty, as it will consist tests and questions designed to get to know you, and to identify possible concerns or problems. Expect questions about your health, your partner's health, and the health of your immediate family members. Also expect a pelvic exam, blood tests, and a urine test. At this time, your prenatal care provider can calculate your due date. Later prenatal check-ups are more exciting. You can listen to your baby's hear beat, receive an ultrasound to see your baby in the womb, and determine your baby's gender.

A Typical Prenatal Care Schedule

During the first 4 - 28 weeks of your pregnancy, expect 1 prenatal care visit per month. At week 28 - 36, visits double to 2 per month. At 36 weeks to birth, mothers-to-be should expect one visit per week. Women with medical conditions that could potentially effect their pregnancies can expect more frequent visits.