Prenatal Care: The Importance of Regular Healthcare During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be an exciting time for parents and their families, but for the expectant mother, it requires a new level of healthcare. Prenatal care, also known as antenatal care, is essential to ensuring the wellness of the fetus as it develops and the mother as she navigates her changing body and evolving health needs.

According to the Office on Women’s Health, mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have babies with low birth weight and five times more likely to die due to complications.

Continue reading to learn what prenatal care is, the value it delivers and the common risks it addresses.

What is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care describes the healthcare you receive from your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) during pregnancy. It generally includes a series of check-ups that align with certain developmental stages during pregnancy. A prenatal care schedule typically includes:

• First visit – Following an at-home test or other symptoms of pregnancy, an OB/GYN will confirm and perform initial tests. This first appointment should take place as soon as possible, according to recommendations by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Doctors will expect to discuss full medical history, any past or present health conditions and any history of disease or substance abuse. Urine testing and blood draws will screen for infections and conditions that can impact the pregnancy.
• Weeks 4–28 – Visits every four weeks will help confirm the progress of the pregnancy and current health. Continued routine blood tests throughout this time can help identify concerns like gestational diabetes; ultrasounds within the first trimester provide an anticipated due date.
• Weeks 28–36 – Doctor’s appointments grow more frequent, typically every two weeks. Expectant mothers might receive Rhogam injections if an Rh-negative blood type was detected, preventing the mother’s body from developing antibodies against the fetus and harming future pregnancies. Testing for group B streptococcus bacteria is also common, which can infect newborns during delivery.
• Weeks 36–birth – From week 36 until birth, patients can expect to see their OB/GYN every week. Routine physical exams, heartbeat monitoring and movement checks will continue to occur until birth.

These regular appointments help doctors identify any concerns, such as pregnancy-related health complications, and enable the timely management of any risk factors.

How Does Prenatal Care Help?
Regular prenatal care equally supports the health of the mother and baby. Pregnancy places significant physical and physiological demands on the body, something that can be further affected by a person’s health history and genetics.  

Services that take place during prenatal visits to help determine the health of the pregnancy include physical exams, weight checks, urine or blood testing, ultrasound examinations and more. During these visits, you and your doctor should also discuss your medical history, as conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity can complicate a pregnancy. 

Here is a short list of the ways prenatal care can provide peace of mind during pregnancy:

• It enables early detection and management of risk factors – Conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are common complications for those dealing with obesity, advanced age or cardiovascular disease. Regular monitoring by an OB/GYN can help avoid serious complications.
• It helps monitor the health of the fetus and ensures normal development – Most pregnancies meet certain milestones within a timeframe. If a pregnancy isn’t meeting these standards, your doctor can help address it promptly.
• It minimizes the risk of early labor and birth – Preterm labor can be harmful for the baby and stressful for the parents. Regular check-ins can help you identify your risks for early birth and ensure a positive birth experience. 
• It helps prepare the mother mentally and emotionally for birth – Pregnancy can be stressful on its own, but there’s also the possibility that it can result in certain mental health conditions, such as postpartum depression (PPD). Meeting with your doctor throughout your pregnancy gives you a critical avenue to discuss any mental health concerns while giving you and your partner insight on how to identify issues like PPD.

Quality prenatal care is vital to ensuring the good health of the mother and baby. Without this essential care, harmful complications can be overlooked, resulting in poor health outcomes. If you or your partner are thinking of becoming pregnant, discuss expanding your family with your doctor as soon as possible.

Articles in this newsletter are meant to be informative, enlightening and helpful to you. While all information contained herein is meant to be completely factual, it is always subject to change. Articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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