What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is health care offered for pregnant women during the course of development and labor. If you are pregnant or think you could be, call the clinic to schedule an exam with the obstetrician. The doctor will schedule several appointments throughout your pregnancy.
Why do I need prenatal care?
Prenatal care is there to monitor the progress of you and your child healthy. Babies born to mothers who don’t get prenatal exams are 3 times more likely to have a low birth weight and 5 times more likely to struggle with infant mortality. The obstetrician can identify health issues early on when the mothers have consistent exams. Doctors can also go over what to expect and how moms can provide their unborn child with a healthy beginning.
How often should I see my doctor during pregnancy?
The obstetrician will provide you with a schedule of all the exams you will need. Most experts suggest that women see go in for an exam:
- Once each month between weeks four and 28
- Twice each month between weeks 28 and 36
- Each week from week 36 to labor and birth
If women are old than 35 or have a high-risk pregnancy, they will need to see the obstetrician more frequently to ensure everything is going smoothly.
What happens during prenatal visits?
During the first prenatal exam, expect the obstetrician to:
- Ask about health and family history such as previous operations, diseases, or other pregnancies
- Conduct a physical exam with a pelvic exam and pap smear
- Obtain a blood and urine sample
- Record blood pressure, height, and weight
- Get an approximate due date
- Answer any questions
During the first exam, you should ask questions about any issues or concerns related to the pregnancy and development. Prenatal exams are usually shorter near the end of the pregnancy. The doctor will evaluate your health and make sure the baby is growing as it should. Most prenatal exams will now include:
- Monitoring blood pressure
- Measuring weight and the abdomen
- Monitoring the baby’s heart rate
While you’re pregnant, you also will have routine tests including blood tests to check for anemia, blood type tests, HIV testing, etc. throughout the pregnancy. Depending on your age, personal health and family history, ethnic background, and the results of these tests more exams or screening may be needed.
What happens during a well-woman exam?
An annual health exam done at the office by a gynecologist can commonly include a breast and pelvic exam and, in most situations, a pap smear. This is frequently called a well-woman exam.
During the exam patients can usually expect a(n):
- physical exam
- pap smear and/or pelvic exam
- breast exam
- update of medical history in addition to work and life activities
- review of medical history
- update of supplements and medications
- update to immunizations
- assessment of necessary screening tests, like a mammogram
What happens if a problem is discovered?
If a medical illness or condition is discovered during the well-woman exam, the gynecologist can recommend several different types of treatments. If the condition is more serious, treatment may need to start that same day or it could be an ongoing process. Some conditions will only be found during a pap smear. If the results do indicate a problem, the gynecologist will go over the results and any treatment which is needed with the patient to ensure the best course of action can be determined.
What is oral birth control?
Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, are used to keep a pregnancy from occurring. The hormones progestin and estrogen are the main ingredients in the birth control pills. These hormones stop ovulation and change the lining of the uterus to which prevents pregnancy in addition to changing the mucus at the cervix in order to keep the sperm from entering. Birth control pills have also been used by gynecologists to assist women who are dealing with abnormal or pain menstrual cycles, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and to help with hormone-related acne.
What is an IUD?
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a soft, plastic device created to stop pregnancy and is inserted into the uterus. In most cases, IUDs work by either administering a small amount of progestin levonorgestrel in the blood or it has a copper coil wrapped around the stem. Copper acts as a natural spermicide.