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Prenatal care is the treatment of a woman and her unborn child during pregnancy. It is never too early to begin prenatal care and set the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. From the beginning of your first trimester until the birth of your baby, your OB-GYN is your partner for health and wellness. You should schedule your first obstetric appointment as soon as you discover that you have become pregnant. Your obstetrician will confirm your pregnancy and depending on whether your pregnancy is considered high risk, may ask you to return for prenatal appointments monthly, bimonthly, or according to a schedule designed to offer you the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Did you know…
that mothers who do not get prenatal care have three times as many low birth weight babies as women who do seek prenatal treatment? Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that fetus and infant mortality is five times higher among women who do not get prenatal care.
Yes. Prenatal care is about more than your health – it’s about your baby’s health too! Throughout your pregnancy, your obstetrician will routinely screen you for diseases and conditions that could threaten your health or the health of your baby. These screenings begin in the first trimester and continue up until birth, so make an appointment to see your obstetrician as soon as you become pregnant.
Your obstetrician will likely adhere to the prenatal care guidelines established by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Your first visit may be one of your longest though you will visit your obstetrician multiple times over the course of your pregnancy. Your first visit will consist of a review of your health history, a physical examination, blood type and Rh testing, HIV screening, and a host of other lab tests. You may also need an updated pap smear and immunizations to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Finally, your obstetrician will offer tips and advice for a healthy pregnancy and schedule your next visit – usually during the first part of your second trimester. Future prenatal visits will consist of weight measurement, fundal height measurements, and blood pressure screenings, as well as urine tests, sonograms and additional lab testing as needed.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your OB-GYN about steps you should be taking to protect the health of you and your baby. Examples include:
Women who take control of their health empower themselves to live longer, disease-free lives. A lifetime of good health starts with prevention, including annual wellness exams and screenings. A women’s health doctor can be your greatest partner in prevention, offering you advice for healthy living and providing important screenings designed to identify complications and illnesses during their earliest stages. From adolescence to post-menopause, a woman’s health demands care and attention at all stages of life.
Did you know…
that female health screenings have significantly reduced the number of deaths from certain diseases, such as cervical cancer? Unfortunately, not all women adhere to guidelines for health screenings such as mammograms and pap smears. The Centers for Disease Control reports that only 67 percent of American women over age 40 have had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the last 2 years, and about 73 percent over age 18 have had a pap smear in the past 3 years. But periodic screening can identify cancer at its earliest stages, vastly improving long-term prognosis and 5-year survival rates.
Yes. Women’s healthcare is for all females of reproductive age or older. If you are healthy and symptom-free, your doctor can help keep you that way with periodic screenings, immunizations, and advice for healthy living. Keep in mind that sometimes underlying health problems present no symptoms at all; so it is important to see your practitioner each year for a routine wellness exam.
The components of your visit will vary according to your age. Young women, for example, require annual pap smears, pelvic exams, breast exams, and possible immunization against HPV. Ladies over age 25 may begin to get pap smears less frequently, although they will begin mammogram screenings by age 40. Your doctor will also speak with you about your health concerns, risk for certain diseases, and contraception needs if applicable.
Possibly. Every woman is unique, so only your doctor can tell you whether you need to make changes to your lifestyle or eating habits following your appointment.