Pregnant Care
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Pregnant Care
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Getting good care before, during, and after your pregnancy is very important. It can help your baby grow and develop and keep you both healthy. It is the best way to be sure your little one gets a head start on a healthy life.
Good prenatal care includes good nutrition and health habits before and during pregnancy. Ideally, you should talk with your health care provider before you start trying to become pregnant. Here are some things you will need to do:
Choose a provider: You will want to choose a provider for your pregnancy and childbirth . This provider will provide prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services.
Take folic acid: If you are considering becoming pregnant, or are pregnant, you should take a supplement with at least 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid every day. Taking folic acid will decrease the risk for certain birth defects. Prenatal vitamins almost always contain more than 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid per capsule or tablet.
Go for prenatal visits and tests: You will see your provider many times during your pregnancy for prenatal care. The number of visits and types of exams you receive will change, depending on where you are in your pregnancy:
Talk with your provider about the different tests you may receive during your pregnancy. These tests can help your provider see how your baby is developing and if there are any problems with your pregnancy. These tests may include:
Depending on your family history, you may choose to screen for genetic problems . There are many things to think about before doing genetic testing. Your provider can help you decide if this is right for you.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may need to see your provider more often and have additional tests .
Your provider will talk with you about how to manage common pregnancy complaints such as:
No two pregnancies are the same. Some women have few or mild symptoms during pregnancy. Many women work their full term and travel while they are pregnant. Others may have to cut back on their hours or stop working. Some women require bed rest for a few days or possibly weeks to continue with a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a complex process. While many women have normal pregnancies, complications can occur. However, having a complication does not mean you will not have a healthy baby. It means your provider will monitor you closely and take special care of you and your baby during the remainder of your term.
It can be scary to think about possible problems. But it is important to be aware so you can tell your provider if you notice unusual symptoms.
Talk with your provider about what to expect during labor and delivery. You can make your wishes known by creating a birth plan . Talk with your provider about what to include in your birth plan . You may want to include things like:
It is also a good idea to make a list of things to bring to the hospital . Pack a bag ahead of time so you have it ready to go when you go into labor.
As you get close to your due date, you will notice certain changes. It is not always easy to tell when you will go into labor . Your provider can tell you when it is time to come in for an exam or go to the hospital for delivery.
Talk with your provider about what happens if you pass your due date . Depending on your age and risk factors, your provider may need to induce labor around 39 to 42 weeks.
Once labor begins, you can use a number of strategies to get through labor .
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR CHILD IS BORN
Having a baby is an exciting and wonderful event. It is also hard work for the mother. You will need to take care of yourself in the first few weeks after delivery. The type of care you need depends on how you delivered your baby.
If you had a vaginal delivery, you will likely spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital before you go home .
If you had a C-section, you will stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days before going home. Your provider will explain how to care for yourself at home as you heal.
If you are able to breastfeed, there are many benefits to breastfeeding . It can also help you lose your pregnancy weight .
Be patient with yourself as you learn to breastfeed. It can take 2 to 3 weeks to learn the skill of nursing your baby. There is a lot to learn, such as:
If you need help, there are many resources for new mothers.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
Call your provider if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant and:
Call your provider immediately if you are pregnant and you:
Greenberg JM, Haberman B, Narendran V, Nathan AT, Schibler K. Neonatal morbidities of prenatal and perinatal origin. In: Resnik R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 73.
Gregory KD, Ramos DE, Jauniaux ERM. Preconception and prenatal care. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 5.
Magowan BA, Owen P, Thomson A. Early pregnancy care. In: Magowan BA, Owen P, Thomson A, eds. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Ltd.; 2019:chap 6.
Williams DE, Pridjian G. Obstetrics. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 20.
Updated by: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC , for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here .
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2022, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.
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Prenatal care is when you get checkups from a doctor, nurse, or midwife throughout your pregnancy. It helps keep you and your future baby healthy.
Prenatal care is an important part of staying healthy during pregnancy.
Your doctor, nurse, or midwife will monitor your future baby’s development and do routine testing to help find and prevent possible problems. These regular checkups are also a great time to learn how to ease any discomfort you may be having, and ask any other questions about your pregnancy and the birth of your future baby.
You can start getting prenatal care as soon as you know you’re pregnant.
It’s actually best to see a doctor BEFORE you get pregnant — this is sometimes called pre-pregnancy care or preconception planning. But if that’s not possible, just begin prenatal visits as soon as you can.
How often you’ll get prenatal care depends on how far along your pregnancy is and how high your risk is for complications. The typical prenatal care schedule for someone who’s 18-35 years old and healthy is:
Every 4 or 6 weeks for the first 32 weeks
Every 2 or 3 weeks for the 32nd-37th weeks
Every week from the 37th week until delivery
Your doctor might ask you to come in for check-ups more often if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
For free, personalized reminders for prenatal appointments and information about pregnancy and parenting, check out Text 4 Baby .
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