{"id":205,"date":"2018-10-17T07:52:32","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T07:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/babymigo.com\/knowledge\/?post_type=kb&p=205"},"modified":"2018-10-17T07:52:32","modified_gmt":"2018-10-17T07:52:32","slug":"pregnancy-and-prenatal-care","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/babymigo.com\/knowledge\/kb\/pregnancy-and-prenatal-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy and Prenatal Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Prenatal care?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prenatal care is when you get checkups from a doctor, nurse, or midwife throughout your pregnancy. It helps keep you and your future baby healthy.<\/p>\n

Why is it important?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prenatal care is an important part of staying healthy during pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Your doctor, nurse, or midwife will monitor your future baby\u2019s development and do routine testing to help find and prevent possible problems. These regular checkups are also a great time to learn how to ease any discomfort you may be having, and ask any other questions about your pregnancy and the birth of your future baby.<\/p>\n

Can things go wrong without prenatal care?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each year, reports of approximately 500 women who died as a result of a pregnancy-related complication.\u00a0 In 1999, on average there were seven infant deaths per 1000 live births. The leading causes of infant death were congenital anomalies and low birthweight, two conditions that can be considerably impacted by prenatal care.<\/p>\n

In order to have the best possible outcome for mother and child, early prenatal care is essential. Even before a woman conceives, she can be given folic acid, checked for immunity to rubella and blood type, as well as advised about smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating a healthy diet.<\/p>\n

Once a woman is pregnant, prenatal visits to a healthcare provider will include examinations to determine the health of the mother and developing the fetus.<\/p>\n

Am I at risk?<\/b><\/p>\n

A higher risk of death related to pregnancy has been found in women over 35 years of age, women who have borne five or more children, women who did not receive prenatal care, and Hispanic and black women. The single most important factor influencing neonatal mortality is birth weight. The rate of infant death increases significantly with decreasing birth weight for infants weighing less than 2500 grams.<\/p>\n

Can It Be Prevented?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some estimate that up to one-half of pregnancy-related deaths could be prevented. An important element for decreasing infant mortality is to prevent low birth weight. Early prenatal care can provide necessary information to the mother and effect changes for nutrition-related and behavioural risk factors impacting the mother and baby.<\/p>\n

What can be done?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consider a preconception visit before you get pregnant.
\nStart taking folic acid before conception.
\nGet early prenatal care.
\nEat a well-balanced diet.
\nWith doctor\u2019s approval, get regular exercise.
\nLimit caffeine and avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and street drugs.<\/p>\n

What are the most common maternal infections?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UTIs, skin and respiratory tract infections are usually not serious problems during pregnancy, although some genital infections (bacterial vaginosis and genital herpes) affect labour or choice of delivery method.\u00a0However, certain maternal infections can damage the fetus, as may occur in the following:<\/p>\n