Prenatal care is the care you get while you are pregnant. This care can be provided by a doctor, midwife or other health care professional.
The goal of prenatal care is to monitor the progress of a pregnancy and to identify potential problems before they become serious for either mom or baby.
All mothers-to-be benefit from prenatal care. Women who see a health care provider regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely, and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy.
During prenatal visits, the health care provider:
- Teaches the woman about pregnancy
- Monitors any medical conditions she may have (such as high blood pressure)
- Tests for problems with the baby
- Tests for health problems in the woman (such as gestational diabetes)
- Refers the woman to services such as support groups, the WIC program or childbirth education classes
What you can do:
Watch the March of Dimes videos - Prenatal Care: Early Visits; and Prenatal Care: Ongoing Visits.
As soon as you think you are pregnant, call your health care provider to find out when you should come in for your first prenatal care appointment.
During your pregnancy, make sure you attend all of your prenatal care appointments, even if you’re feeling fine.
Sometimes getting to an appointment may be difficult or it may seem like a waste of time. For the sake of your baby, though, make getting prenatal care a priority.
Ideally, it's best to see your provider before you become pregnant. This is called a preconception visit. This visit can address concerns and issues before you get pregnant.
You will begin to feel your baby move from about week 28 until birth. An active baby is a healthy baby! Call your health care provider if you are worried about your baby's movement.
If you have a chronic medical condition or a "high-risk" pregnancy, you may have to see your health care provider more often. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease, make sure that you are monitored regularly. Try your best to keep your condition under control. Follow your provider's advice and take any medication as directed.
For more information, order a copy of My 9 Months, the March of Dimes magazine for pregnant women ($4.95).
