Prenatal Health

Prenatal care is the healthcare a mother receives during pregnancy. It could come from an OB/GYN, midwife, or nurse. The goal of these caretakers is to prioritize the wellbeing of both the mother and her baby during the next 9 months. It’s important for the mother to begin taking care of her health once she figures out she’s pregnant so the chances of a healthy baby increases.

Proper prenatal care is not only beneficial for the baby, but also the mother. The mother’s body goes through tremendous change during the 9 months of pregnancy and making sure the mom is hydrated, healthy, and happy can change a lot of factors. The healthcare provider will be able to give a lot of insight on how to take care of the mother’s body. However without proper care, the unborn baby’s chances for a healthy birth weight decrease with improper prenatal care by 3 times. Another significant statistic is the chance of survival. Mothers who take care of their bodies can increase survival rates for the baby by 5 times.

During pregnancy, some activities should be avoided at all costs. Drinking alcoholic beverages and taking drugs can damage the growth process the baby needs to undergo. These substances are toxic to the underdeveloped body of the unborn baby. The baby could be born with deformities and diseases if drinking/drugs are being used. It is also important to steer clear of dangerous activities or new hobbies, such as rock climbing, soccer, bouncing or any activity that can cause the baby distress. Expecting mothers also should not start new strenuous hobbies that they did not do before becoming pregnant. For example, if the mother has not trained for a marathon prior to being pregnant, it is not recommended to begin training while pregnant. Caffeine is also important to avoid as it causes a faster heart rate. Little changes in life can make a significant difference in the wellbeing of the unborn child.

If you choose to visit an OB/GYN during your pregnancy, there are several significant visits that can give you information about your baby. During the first trimester, you’ll be going to the doctor approximately once a month for a checkup. By the end of these 12 weeks, it is possible to hear the baby’s heartbeat and find out if the baby has down syndrome through genetic testing. The second trimester the mother’s body continues to grow as does the baby. During these 12 weeks, you’ll find out the sex of the baby, possibly feel the baby kick, and be able to recognize the size and compare them with fruits and vegetables. Throughout all 9 months, ultrasounds will allow you to see how your baby is growing and developing. Finally during the third trimester, the baby is growing hair, forms bones, and is almost ready to get out into the real world. Braxton hicks, simply known as practice contractions, is also common during the final trimester. These contractions are not labor, but prepare the mother for birth. Braxton hicks could be scary but it is normal!

Some extra tips on having a successful pregnancy

• Take prenatal vitamins

• Take folic acid (decreases the risk for neural tube defects by 70%)

• Light exercise/Yoga

• Drink water

• Prioritize sleep and rest

• Take pictures along the way to document the journey!

Prenatal care can be expensive. Doctors visits, vitamins, and medications can add up pretty quickly so it is good to know your options for cost-friendly choices. Planned parenthood, local clinics, and/or community health centers could offer free or low-cost care. Check out your locations to find out more about your options!

Citations

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Prenatal. Healthy children. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/default.aspx

• Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Prenatal care: 1st trimester visits. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20044882

• National Institute of Health. (n.d.). What is prenatal care and why is it important? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/prenatal-care

• Planned Parenthood (n.d.). Prenatal care. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/prenatal-care

• Rush University Medical Center. (n.d.). Prenatal care. Rush. https://www.rush.edu/services/test-treatment/prenatal-care

• UC San Diego Health (n.d.). 36 Tips for a healthy pregnancy. https://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/Pages/2016-01-05-36-pregnancy-tips-listicle.aspx

• University of Chicago. (n.d). Prenatal care. (n.d.). UChicago medicine. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/pregnancy-childbirth/prenatal-care

• US Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Prenatal care. Office on women’s health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/prenatal-care

• (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2020, from https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.squarespace-cdn.com%2Fcontent%2Fv1%2F52ee5f8ee4b05875be7ebd33%2F1519756712262-1XN9M799LL9V3HG651PW%2Fke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kLkXF2pIyv_F2eUT9F60jBl7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z4YTzHvnKhyp6Da-NYroOW3ZGjoBKy3azqku80C789l0iyqMbMesKd95J-X4EagrgU9L3Sa3U8cogeb0tjXbfawd0urKshkc5MgdBeJmALQKw%2Fbich-ngoc-le-229371-unsplash.jpg