Becoming a mother is a very beautiful and responsible experience in life, isn't it? So, during this precious time, the most important thing is for both you and the little baby growing in your womb to be healthy and happy. The medical care you receive during pregnancy, or simply 'Prenatal Care', helps a lot. So, today we will talk about some important things that you need to be aware of.
Why is prenatal care so important?
Imagine, when a new member is coming into your life, you want to do everything right.
Prenatal care is the health care you receive from the time you become pregnant until the baby is born. It's like planting a plant and watering and fertilizing it until it grows. By going to these medical appointments
as soon as possible and regularly , you will get a great boost in keeping you and your baby healthy. Because, if there is any problem, the doctors will be able to
identify it early and start the necessary treatment . Sometimes, it's best to seek medical advice even before you get pregnant. Then you can start your new journey healthy.
Remember: Seeking early and ongoing medical advice is the first step to a healthy birth!
How can I access these prenatal care services?
Now you may be wondering, "Who can help me at this time?" Typically, a mother who is having a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy can get services from:
- Obstetricians : These doctors are those who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth .
- Obstetricians/Gynecologists (OB/GYNs): These are doctors who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth, and women's health . Often, these two are the same.
- Family Doctors: Some family doctors also provide prenatal care and childbirth services. You can ask your family doctor about this.
- Midwives: This service is very important in our country. Midwives help you a lot during pregnancy, childbirth and after the baby is born, especially in pregnancies with low complications. In some countries, there are those with different levels of training, such as `(Certified Nurse-Midwives)`.
But then, sometimes you
Special attention may be needed. If so, your doctor will refer you to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist or a Perinatologist . These are the cases:- If you have a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease .
- If the risk of delivering the baby before the due date (preterm labor) is high.
- If you are over 35 years old.
- If you have more than one baby in your womb (like twins).
- If you have any other complications that could put you in a high-risk category.
What are the usual medical appointments and tests during pregnancy?
As soon as you find out you're pregnant, you should schedule your first prenatal visit. This is usually between 6 and 8 weeks into your pregnancy , or when your period is 2 to 4 weeks late. Sometimes, the first appointment can be made after 8 weeks if there are no problems before then. If you're healthy and don't have any special risk factors, the number of times you should see your doctor is as follows:- Every 4 weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy.
- Then, every 2 weeks until week 36 .
- After that, once a week until the baby is born .
At almost every visit, your weight and blood pressure will be recorded. Also, starting around week 22, your uterus will be measured for size and shape to see if your baby is growing and developing properly. At some visits, a urine sample will be taken from you and tested for glucose and protein. These are very important tests. Prenatal tests can help doctors find out if the baby has a birth defect or chromosomal problem . They can also detect conditions that the mother has that can affect the baby, such as gestational diabetes, anemia, or infections. These tests are done during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Some tests only show the possibility of a problem (Screening Tests) . Other tests can tell you for sure (Diagnostic Tests) .Whether there is a problem or not. Sometimes, after a Screening Test, a Diagnostic Test is also done. This includes blood tests, `(Amniocentesis)`, `(CVS - Chorionic Villus Sampling)` and `(Ultrasound)` scans. All of this is done for the safety of you and your baby. What are the common health problems that can arise during pregnancy?
Some mothers may be a little worried about pre-existing conditions like diabetes, wondering, "Will this affect my baby?" If you have one, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to change your medications or give you advice to ease your concerns. There are also some new conditions that can arise during pregnancy. Let's take a look at what they are:- Preeclampsia: Also called `(Toxemia of Pregnancy). This is when your blood pressure increases , either in the second half of pregnancy or soon after the baby is born. This condition can cause problems with the kidneys (protein in the urine), liver, eyes, and lungs. Some people may have various symptoms, while others may have no symptoms at all. If it affects the brain, seizures or loss of consciousness can occur. This is called eclampsia. Sometimes `(Eclampsia )` can develop even without `(Preeclampsia)` symptoms. If this is not treated properly, it can be life-threatening for both mother and baby, but this is very rare.
- Rh-negative mother and Rh-positive fetus (Rh Incompatibility): Most people have the Rh factor in their red blood cells (they are Rh positive). People who do not have it are Rh negative. A simple blood test can tell you what your Rh factor is. Imagine that you are Rh negative, but your baby is Rh positive. Then, if the baby's blood cells enter your bloodstream, problems can arise. Your body starts making antibodies against the baby's blood cells. These antibodies can go into the baby's bloodstream and destroy his red blood cells.
Although these conditions are serious, they are manageable . So it's important to be aware of them and talk to your doctor. How to control diet and weight gain during pregnancy?
It's normal to gain weight during pregnancy, but it should be in a healthy way.- On average, a mother of normal weight who is expecting one baby should gain between 25-35 pounds (about 11-16 kilograms) during pregnancy.
- If you are a mother who was overweight during pregnancy, you should only gain between 15-25 pounds (about 7-11 kilograms) .
- If you are underweight, you will need to gain about 28-40 pounds (about 13-18 kilograms) .
- If you have more than one baby (like twins), you will have to gain more weight.
It can be difficult to control your weight during the latter stages of pregnancy. So, don't gain too much weight all at once in the first few months . However, if you don't gain enough weight, problems can arise ; such as stunted growth or premature labor. Pregnancy is not a good time to diet, but it is a great time to adopt a healthy eating pattern!
Doctors say that a mother with one baby should eat an extra 300-400 calories a day during the second trimester . You need a little more in the third trimester . Most of these extra calories should come from protein . You should also eat plenty of fresh fruits, grains, and vegetables . A good snack might be a glass of nonfat milk, half a sandwich, or a cup of yogurt with a few walnuts and a piece of fruit. Some people, such as young mothers or mothers of twins, may need more calories. Your doctor may prescribe a prenatal vitamin . This will help make sure you get enough iron, calcium, and folic acid . Also, it is very good to do regular, low-impact exercise during this time. What else do I need to know?
For the good of both you and your baby, you need to take very good care of yourself during pregnancy. Be sure to follow these basic things:- Never smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs.
- Get enough rest.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Also, it is very important to be aware of and be aware of these things:- Medicine Safety
- Food Safety
- Vaccines
- Exercise Safety
Discuss all of this with your doctor and follow their advice. The importance of talking to your doctor
During this time of changes in your body, some things may be new to you. So, it can feel a little difficult to talk about everything with your doctor. Maybe you're wondering, "Can I have sex during this time?", "What can I do about hemorrhoids or constipation?", or maybe you're feeling scared about having a baby. You might feel embarrassed to ask these questions. But don't think so. Your doctor has probably asked all of these questions before.So, write down your questions on a piece of paper and ask them at every doctor's appointment. It will help you a lot. Also, if something like this happens, call your doctor immediately:- If there is heavy bleeding .
- Sudden loss of fluid .
- If you feel that your baby's movements have noticeably decreased.
- If you have more than three uterine contractions within an hour.
These are emergencies, so you need to be careful about this too. Finally, remember this (Take-Home Message)
If you are going to become a mother, then prenatal care is very important to make this journey a wonderful one. Keep seeing your doctor, follow their instructions exactly, and talk to them about any questions or concerns you may have. Then you can welcome your little one into this world as a healthy, happy mother. I wish you the best of luck! Pregnancy Care, Prenatal Care, Medical Advice During Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Pregnancy Tests, Healthy Pregnancy, Childbirth
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