Prenatal care

Prenatal care refers to the regular routine check-ups recommended for women before and during pregnancy. The aim of good prenatal care is to detect any potential problems early, to prevent them if possible (through recommendations on adequate nutrition, exercise, vitamin intake etc), and to direct the woman to appropriate specialists, hospitals, etc. if necessary. The availability of routine prenatal care has played a part in reducing maternal death rates and miscarriages as well as birth defects, low birth weight, and other preventable infant problems in the developed world.

While availability of prenatal care has considerable personal health and social benefits, socioeconomic problems prevent its universal adoption in many developed as well as developing nations.

Studies in Canada and the United States have shown that communities in rural areas as well as minorities are less likely to have available prenatal care and also have higher infant mortality rates as well as premature involuntary termination of pregnancy.

Prenatal care generally consists of:

monthly visits during the first two trimesters (from week 1-28)
biweekly from 28 to week 36 of pregnancy
weekly after week 36 (delivery at week 38-40)

Table of contents

1 Prenatal Care Practitioners
2 Physical Examinations
3 Ultrasound
4 References

Prenatal Care Practitioners

In most developed countries, women have a choice between: obstetricians, family practitioners, and midwives. Each of these practitioners provide a different type of care. Obstetricianss are surgeons specializing in pregnancy and childbirth. Family practioners are general practice doctors whose training includes obstetrics. Midwifery has its basis in tradition, however, many modern midwives have medical training. Generally, midwives are used by women who prefer a less interventive or less expensive approach to childbirth. Most experts recommend careful research when choosing a practitioner. There are many factors to consider including: what practitioners are available, skills, services and preferences.

Physical Examinations

Physical Examinations generally consist of:

collection of (mother's) medical history
checking (mother's) blood pressure
(mother's) height and weight
pelvic exam
(mother's) blood and urine tests
discussion with caregiver

Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasoundss may be performed during the second trimester at week 20. The ultrasound determines, among the other things, the gender of the baby, number of fetuses, due date, health of the baby, and expected weight. Ultrasounds are considered relatively safe and have been used for over 35 years for monitoring pregnancy.

Ultrasounds are used to:

Diagnose pregnancy (uncommon)
Assess a likely miscarriage, blighted ovum, ectopic pregnancy, and molar pregnancy conditions. Each can be a threat to the mother if left untreated.
Determine if an intrauterine growth retardation condition exists
Determine due date
Check for fetal malformation
Check for multiple fetuses
Determine sex of infant

Generally an Ultrasound is ordered whenever an abnormality is suspected and long the schedule of:

7 weeks - confirm pregnancy, ensure its neither molar or ectopic, determine due date.
13-14 weeks (some areas) - evaluate Down Syndrome
18-20 weeks - determine number of babies, diagnose any malformations, monitor growth, verify due date.
34 weeks (some areas) - evaluate size, verify placental position