Why Is Prenatal Care Important?
Prenatal care is health care that a woman gets while pregnant. Going early and regularly for prenatal care can help moms-to-be — and their babies — stay healthy. Regular care lets doctors find and deal with any problems as soon as possible.It’s important to start prenatal care as early as possible — ideally, before a woman even becomes pregnant.
How Can I Find Prenatal Care?
Pregnant women usually are cared for by:
- obstetricians: doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth
- obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs): doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as women’s health care
- family practitioners: doctors who provide a range of services for patients of all ages (sometimes, this includes obstetrical care) instead of specializing in one area
- certified nurse-midwife: an advanced practice nurse specializing in women’s health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for pregnancies without problems
Any of these care providers is a good choice if you’re healthy and there’s no reason to expect problems with your pregnancy and delivery. However, nurse-midwives do need to have a doctor available for the delivery in case a C-section has to be done.
Your health care provider may refer you to a doctor with expertise in high-risk pregnancies if you:
- have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart problems
- have an increased risk of preterm labor
- are older than 35
- are pregnant with more than one fetus
- have another complicating factor that might put you in a high-risk category
Even if your pregnancy isn’t high-risk, this may still be a good time to make a change in health care providers if you’re not comfortable with your current doctor.
Routine Visits and Testing
You should call to schedule your first checkup during the first 6 to 8 weeks of your pregnancy, or when your period is 2 to 4 weeks late. Many health care providers will not schedule the first visit before 8 weeks, unless there is a problem.
If you’re healthy and have no complicating risk factors, you can expect to see your health care provider:
- every 4 weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy
- then, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks
- then, once a week until delivery
At each checkup, your weight and blood pressure are usually recorded. The size and shape of your uterus may also be measured, starting at the 22nd week, to see whether the fetus is growing and developing normally.
During one or more of your visits, you’ll provide a small urine (pee) sample to be tested for sugar (glucose) and protein.Glucose screening usually takes place at 12 weeks for women who are at higher risk for gestational diabetes. That includes women who:
