The Importance of Prenatal Care

The Importance of Prenatal Care

Millions of American women give birth every year, and nearly a third of them will have some kind of pregnancy-related complication. Those who don't get proper prenatal care run the risk that such complications won't be detected or won't be dealt with soon enough. And that can lead to potentially serious consequences for both the mother and her baby.

That's why it's so important to start prenatal care as early as possible — ideally, before a woman even becomes pregnant.

Of course, this isn't always possible or practical. But the sooner in pregnancy good care begins, the better for the health of both moms and their babies.

Prenatal Care Before Pregnancy

Prenatal care should start before you get pregnant. If you're planning a pregnancy, see your health care provider for a complete checkup. Routine testing can make sure you're in good health and that you don't have any illnesses or other conditions that could affect your pregnancy. If you've been having any unusual symptoms, this is a good time to report them.

If you're already being treated for a chronic condition, such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), a heart problem, allergies, lupus (an inflammatory disorder that can affect several body systems), depression, or some other condition, you should talk to your doctor about how it could affect a pregnancy.

In some cases, you may need to change or stop certain medicines — especially during the first trimester (12 weeks) — to reduce risk to the fetus. Or, you may need to be even more careful about managing your condition. For example, women with diabetes must take extra care to keep their blood glucose levels under control — both before they begin trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Abnormal levels increase the risk of birth defects and other complications.

This is also a good time to talk with your health care provider any habits that could pose a risk to your baby, such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Ask about taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, calcium, and iron.

It's especially important for women who plan to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid because neural tube defects (problems with the development of the spine and nervous system) happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she's pregnant.

If you or your partner have a family history of a significant genetic disorder and think either of you may be a carrier, genetic testingmay be wise. Talk this over with your health care provider, who can refer you to a genetic counselor if necessary.

If you find out that you're pregnant before you do any of this, don't worry. It's not too late to get the care that will help to protect your health and that of your baby.