A proper prenatal program is very essential and beneficial for a healthy baby. You will have to visit and consult your doctor during the prenatal period. The initial prenatal visit and then the succeeding ones are all very important. These checkups make your doctor administer your health and the baby’s growth. He will be able to diagnose and find out if there is any problem associated with it and will decide a treatment course. Preeclampsia is a condition in which protein level increases in the urine. This can be fatal for the new baby life. This can be cured only if detected at earlier stage during the prenatal checkups. So, before going for a pregnancy checkup, you should know some aspects associated with it
1. Getting to know about you
You should consult and visit a doctor as soon as you deduce you are pregnant. During this first visit, be prepared for an extensive session with the doctor in which you will be asked about yours and the baby’s father’s medical history. The doctor will ask about your menstrual history and previous pregnancies. He will also enquire about any genetic disorders or disease running in the family. You would be asked about whether you have habits of drinking or smoking as these are dangerous for the baby. Be assured that this information is kept confidential. During the first trimester you might fee nausea, morning sickness, vomiting and even aversion to food. You should consult your doctor and keep him aware of these issues and follow the prescribed medicines religiously. You doctors also might give you a list of do’s and don’ts for pregnant women. Follow the list.
2. Lab tests and other details
The doctor will include some lab checks. The due date will be determined and the doctor will also start a chart to record your weight gain. He will check your blood pressure to find out the Rh factor, blood group and HIV infection. He will do pelvic examination, Doppler fetal heart rate monitoring, blood and urine tests etc. An ultrasound will also be carried to determine if there are any possible risks to the baby or mother and to know if there is any malformation. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin, advise you on nutrition to take and exercise to do.
In the successive prenatal check-up, the doctor will check your blood pressure, weight and the heartbeat of the baby. There will be an ultrasound during the 20th week. This will be done to check the growth of the baby.
3. Frequency of the checkups
This will vary from woman to woman, and will depend on your individual situation. Pregnancy cycle of 40 weeks has trimesters. Normally for the 1st 2 trimester, you will have to get checkup done once in a month. More frequent visits will be required by the women who are at higher risk of complications. These are women who had earlier faced difficulty in conceiving, are over 35 years of age, have gestational diabetes or carry multiple fetus.
4. What to expect at each checkup
Mostly every checkup will consist of urine test (to check the protein and sugar level). Your weight gain and blood pressure will be recorded by the doctor. Doctor will inspect for swelling on your hands and feet, check baby’s heart beat and will also inspect the size of your uterus. Discuss with your doctor any questions or doubts you have.
Your doctor and you will be working very closely for approximately 36 weeks. So choose your doctor carefully. Look for a doctor or gynecologist with whom you feel comfortable. If your obstetrician is male, do not hide anything from him as this will lead to complications. Take help from your husband to know the answers of your queries. You can also refer to the hand books which are available with the doctor. Opt for physiotherapist from whom you can take prenatal classes. Build a rapport with your gynecologists and follow his /her advice.
