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5 Important Benefits of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is important for both the health of the mother and baby. Regular prenatal checkups monitor the health and development of both, and can detect and treat any issues that arise. Prenatal care also provides education on nutrition, baby development, necessary testing, and helps prepare parents for labor and delivery by discussing procedures and options. The relationship with an OB/GYN or midwife developed during prenatal visits further eases the changes of pregnancy and makes women more comfortable when giving birth.

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121 views

5 Important Benefits of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is important for both the health of the mother and baby. Regular prenatal checkups monitor the health and development of both, and can detect and treat any issues that arise. Prenatal care also provides education on nutrition, baby development, necessary testing, and helps prepare parents for labor and delivery by discussing procedures and options. The relationship with an OB/GYN or midwife developed during prenatal visits further eases the changes of pregnancy and makes women more comfortable when giving birth.

Uploaded by

Lorenn Adarna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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5 Important Benefits of Prenatal Care

June 17, 2014. By: Overlake OBGYN

Prenatal care is a cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy, labor,


and baby. Why? Because throughout your pregnancy,
prenatal checkups are used to ensure both you and your baby
are progressing as you should. It provides the opportunity for
you to get answers to your questions, and the relationship you
develop with your OB/GYN and/or Midwife will make you more
at ease with the changes going on in your body. Great
prenatal care will also make you more comfortable and
confident when you go into labor.

If you suspect you’re pregnant, make an appointment with


your OB/GYN to be sure and begin prenatal care as early as
possible. Not happy with your current doctor? This is the time
to begin interviewing different OBs and/or their midwifery
group so you are cared for by professionals you are
comfortable with, and whom you trust!

5 Benefits of Prenatal Care

1. Your health depends on it. And when we say “your


health” we mean the both of you. According
toWomensHealth.com, “Babies of mothers who do not get
prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth
weight and five times more likely to die than those born to
mothers who do get care.” Also, while most pregnancies
proceed perfectly normally – after all, women’s bodies were
designed to be pregnant and give birth – your prenatal visits
will detect any potential health concerns, such as anemia,
gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia – which can be treated
when caught early.

2. Get accurate nutritional information. Your diet may have


to go through some changes in order to meet the nutritional
needs of your baby. Your doctor will be give you very specific
information about your recommended dietary intake for the
next nine months, including what you should not eat. Some of
the most innocent foods, like lunch meat, hot dogs, and blue
cheese dressing, will have to sidelined. Contrary to popular

belief, pregnancy doesn’t mean you get to eat for two (sorry!).
In fact, for a single baby you only need about 300 extra
calories per day. All of this information – and more – will be
provided at your prenatal appointments.

3. Keep track of your baby’s development. Your baby’s


growth is a major indicator of how well he or she is doing in
there. During your appointments, your doctor will measure
your belly from sternum to the top of your pubic bone. These
measurements help her to see how your baby is growing. Of
course, modern technology will assist with that as well.
Ultrasounds – now available in 3-D – will be strategically timed
to verify your baby’s gender and development.

4. Schedule appropriate testing. Depending on your age,


medical history, and family history, your OB/GYN may
recommend certain tests. For example, an amniocentesis is a
test that is done during the second trimester. It is used
predominantly to check for genetic abnormalities, such as
Down Syndrome, but can also be used to detect a potential
uterine infection, to check on the baby’s health if you have Rh
sensitization (when your baby has a different blood type than
you) or to verify the maturity of the baby’s lungs. Other tests
may be recommended as well but are only available if you’re
getting regular prenatal care from an OB/GYN or midwife.

5. Learn about labor and delivery. It is up to you and your


partner to create your labor and delivery plan. However, how
that plan is laid out will depend on the information you have
about labor and delivery procedures. Your prenatal visits offer
you the chance to discuss these procedures, potential
scenarios, questions and concerns with your doctor. This
includes learning about the risks and benefits of every
intervention or treatment available to you.

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