Becoming a parent is among the most exciting phases in life. Taking proper care of the expectant mother for nine months is important for the baby and mom-to-be. For that to happen, the expectant mother has to get regular prenatal care with qualified professionals to reduce the risk or address complications, if any. This care can start even before pregnancy and continue even after childbirth. It is called antenatal and postnatal care. Read on to learn more about why it is important to prioritise antenatal care.
Antenatal care, also called prenatal care, is the care provided for a pregnant woman before and during the pregnancy period. It involves regular checkups and medical appointments by healthcare providers to monitor the health of the pregnant mother and the growing fetus. Women who suspect they are pregnant should consult a doctor for an antenatal checkup. Women who plan to start a family too can choose to have pre-pregnancy care before they get pregnant to reduce future complications and have a healthy pregnancy.
Antenatal and pre-pregnancy care can guide women about the steps they should take to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. With regular and proper antenatal care, women can:
● Decrease the chances of pregnancy complications: Regular health checkups can help monitor the mother's health and well-being and that of the developing fetus.
● Control Preexisting conditions: Antenatal care helps control existing chronic conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, etc., and prevents its effects and complications on pregnancy. It can also help in the early detection of potential complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restrictions, etc., and allows for timely management.
● Reduce baby's risk for complications: Routine blood tests, screenings, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic tests ensure the pregnancy progresses well. They also help identify potential issues and address them to reduce the risk of complications for the baby.
● Advise on safe medications: Certain medications, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements may not be safe to consume during pregnancy as they may affect the baby. Talking to the doctor during the antenatal visits about these helps ensure that medications taken by the mother are safe and do not harm the baby in any way.
● Providing Nutritional and Lifestyle Guidance: Antenatal visits are important as you get advice on proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle support for a healthy pregnancy. You can also get advice on prenatal vitamins that must be consumed for the baby's healthy development. For instance, folic acid should be consumed to reduce neural tube defects in the baby. Although folate is present in foods like green vegetables, cereals, pasta, breads, etc., it is not absorbed by the body. Depending on the mother's health, folic acid and other prenatal vitamins are recommended by the healthcare provider to meet the needs of the developing fetus.
What to expect depends on how far you have progressed in your pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant, book your appointment as soon as your home pregnancy test is positive. Early visits help the healthcare provider to check your health and the fetus's growth.
Initial Visits
The first antenatal visit is typically after the eighth week of your pregnancy unless you have a preexisting condition or have pain, bleeding or spotting, vomiting or nausea. During the visit, the caregiver will
● Answer your queries and share your concerns.
● Check your urine and blood samples to confirm the pregnancy and any infections.
● Check your blood pressure, height and weight.
● Calculate the due date based on the ultrasound exam.
● Ask about previous surgeries, pregnancies and previous conditions.
● Do a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, a pap test, and tests for hepatitis B, syphilis, rubella and HIV.
● Screen for cervical cancer and HPV infections.
● Do an ultrasound test based on the week of pregnancy.
● Offer genetic testing for Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, chromosomal problems and other testing based on family history.
Later Prenatal Visits
As the pregnancy proceeds, antenatal care varies. During most of these visits, your healthcare provider will check your weight gain and blood pressure, check the fetus's heart rate, perform tests like blood tests or ultrasound, and determine the fetus's position in the later part of pregnancy. Some of these visits will have special screening tests for gestational diabetes (typically between 24 and 28 weeks), depending on medical history and age.
For women who plan to start a family soon, it is recommended that they consult a healthcare provider to reduce problems and complications during pregnancy and childbirth. During the visit, you will get antenatal advice on proper nutrition, diet, exercise and habits to avoid, which can impact the fetus. With the care provider's help, you can also develop a reproductive health plan so that you can time your pregnancy, address any potential reproductive health issues before you conceive, attain a healthy BMI, and seek help for any mental health issues like anxiety, depression, etc.
Prioritising antenatal care is essential for having a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, monitoring the mother's recovery, and providing guidance in care for the newborn. Regular checkups and diagnostic tests during pregnancy help in the early detection and management of potential complications and support the mother and the baby. By undergoing antenatal care, you are proactively ensuring the baby's health and well-being, giving a healthy start to life.
Focussed Antenatal Care aims at reducing maternal complications and illnesses by providing appropriate and timely care to a pregnant woman. Expectant mothers need to attend antenatal care to prepare for a safe, smooth and healthy pregnancy and delivery. Regular checkups and getting concerns addressed by expert healthcare professionals help new mothers make informed decisions and prepare for safe delivery.
Antenatal care is a preventive health care that primarily aims to protect the health of the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Its other advantages include helping to detect pregnancy complications in the mother and the baby early, reducing premature birth, and enhancing the well-being of the child and the mother.
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