Pregnancy Care

Getting good care before, during, and after your pregnancy is very important. It can help your baby grow and develop and keep you both healthy. It is the best way to be sure your little one gets a head start on a healthy life.

PRENATAL CARE :

Good prenatal care includes good nutrition and health habits before and during pregnancy. Ideally, you should talk with your health care provider before you start trying to become pregnant. Here are some things you will need to do:
Choose a provider: You will want to choose a provider for your pregnancy and childbirth. This provider will provide prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services.
Take folic acid: If you are considering becoming pregnant, or are pregnant, you should take a supplement with at least 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid every day. Taking folic acid will decrease the risk for certain birth defects. Prenatal vitamins almost always contain more than 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid per capsule or tablet.

You should also:

• Talk with doctor about any medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines. You should only take medicines your provider says are safe to take while you are pregnant.
• Avoid all alcohol and recreational drug use and limit caffeine.
• Quit smoking, if you smoke.

Go for prenatal visits and tests: You will visit many times during your pregnancy for prenatal care. The number of visits and types of exams you receive will change, depending on where you are in your pregnancy:

• First trimester care
• Second trimester care
• Third trimester care

Talk with your doctor about the different tests you may receive during your pregnancy. These tests can help your provider see how your baby is developing and if there are any problems with your pregnancy. These tests may include:

• Ultrasound tests to see how your baby is growing and help establish a due date
• Glucose tests to check for gestational diabetes
• Blood test to check for normal fetal DNA in your blood
• Fetal echocardiography to check the baby's heart
• Amniocentesis to check for birth defects and genetic problems
• Nuchal translucency test to check for problems with the baby's genes
• Tests to check for sexually transmitted disease
• Blood type testing such as Rh and ABO
• Blood tests for anemia
• Blood tests to follow any chronic illness you had before becoming pregnant

Depending on your family history, you may choose to screen for genetic problems. There are many things to think about before doing genetic testing. Doctor can help you decide if this is right for you.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may need to see your doctor more often and have additional tests.