Prenatal care is the health care you get while you are pregnant.
Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy. 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.
Doctors can spot health problems early when they see mothers regularly. This allows doctors to treat them early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others. Regular health care is best for you and your baby.
Your doctor will give you a schedule of all the doctor's visits you should have while pregnant. As your pregnancy progresses, you'll see the doctor more often. Most experts suggest you see your doctor:
*about once each month for the first six months of pregnancy
*every two weeks for the seventh and eight month of pregnancy
*every week until the baby is born
At the first visit, you should ask questions and discuss any issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to stay healthy.
Later prenatal visits will probably be shorter. Your doctor will check on your health and make sure the baby is growing as expected. Most prenatal visits will include:
*checking the baby's heart rate
*checking your blood pressure
*checking your urine for signs of diabetes
*measuring your weight gain
While you're pregnant your doctor or midwife may suggest a number of laboratory tests, ultrasound exams, and other screening tests.
Extracted from: womenshealth.gov
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