Prenatal Care Essays

Prenatal Care Essays Prenatal Care Paper Prenatal Care Paper It is very important that you begin your prenatal care early, and continue this care regularly throughout your pregnancy. You want to give your baby a healthy start in life. You also want to make sure that you stay healthy, too. Your health, and your babys health, are closely tied together. When you are pregnant, everything you do can have an effect on your baby. That is why it is important to see your doctor as soon as you think you might be pregnant and then to continue with regular visits once the diagnosis is confirmed. Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will perform a number of tests and procedures to make sure both you and baby are doing fine. You will also be given advice on how to take care of yourself so your baby will be born in the best possible health. This means eating plenty of dairy products, meat, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals, and limiting your intake of fat, cholesterol and salt. During pregnancy, your body requires more of certain nutrients such as calcium and iron. Your doctor may recommend a supplement if you are not getting enough from your diet. By the end of your pregnancy, you should only have gained in the range of 20 to 35 pounds. It is also very important not to or take any that have not been! approved by your doctor. Many women continue to exercise during most of their pregnancy; however, it is important to check with your doctor first to decide on an exercise program that is right for you. During the first visit, you will be asked for details about your complete medical history, including medical conditions, surgeries, past pregnancies and habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. You will have a complete physical as well, with examination of the heart, lungs and breasts in addition to a Pap smear and pelvic exam. The doctor may order tests to rule out sexually transmitted diseases. You will need to give samples of blood for tests to assess your blood type and blood count, to see whether you have hepatitis or HIV, and to check whether you are immune to rubella. Additional testing may be done depending on your history. In addition to the routine blood work with the first visit, blood tests are done between 16-20 weeks and again at 28 weeks. The former is an optional test to screen for neural-tube defects such as spina bifida and Down syndrome. a repeat blood count to check for anemia. Depending on your age or a family history of certain birth defects, y! ou may be offered genetic testing (CVS or amniocentesis) early in the pregnancy. Subsequent exams are usually every four weeks until your 28th week of pregnancy, then every two weeks until your 37th week. After that, you will be seen weekly. Most of these visits involve checking your weight and blood pressure and testing your urine for protein and sugar. The doctor will listen to the babys heartbeat and measure your uterus, the size of the uterus in centimeters should equal the weeks of pregnancy. She will ask how you are feeling, whether the baby is moving and whether you are experiencing any problems such as cramping, bleeding, headaches or excessive swelling. You should write down any questions you have and ask them each visit. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may wish to do a pelvic exam to see if your cervix has begun to dilate The education about what is good for babies and what is harmful, that mothers miss when they dont get the earliest possible care is very critical. If you do not receive any maternity care then you are putting yourself and your baby at serious risks and future problems. Remember, what you do while you are pregnant can effect the rest of your childs life.