PRENATAL CARE

The 5 Facets of Good Prenatal Care

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting (and exhausting!) times in your life. Preparing the nursery, picking out names, and attending baby showers are some of the highlights of welcoming a new member to your family. But once you confirm you’re pregnant, it is also of the utmost importance to start your prenatal care as soon as possible!

The babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have low birth weight. Even more tragically, babies without prenatal care are five times more likely to die than baby’s whose moms get prenatal care.

The caring OBGYNs and obstetrics team at AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn and Lincoln Park are here to give you and your baby every chance for the healthiest pregnancy and delivery possible! In this article we set out the top 5 steps that every pregnant woman should include in her prenatal regimen, to give her baby the best start in life.

#1. Prenatal Doctors Appointments

The most important thing you can do for your unborn child is to find an experienced OBGYN whom you like and trust and schedule regular prenatal checkups.

Obstetricians can spot any health problems with mother or child early when they see moms regularly. And, as with any medical issue, early identification and intervention provides the best chance that any problems can be intercepted and successfully treated before they become serious.

Our caring OBGYNs, nurse practitioners and obstetrical team will monitor your baby’s development and conduct routine testing (such as regular ultrasounds) to ensure proper fetal growth and development. Regular prenatal checkups are also important to learn how to deal with the many changes that your body is experiencing, including weight gain, morning sickness, high blood pressure, anemia and more.

Regular prenatal doctor’s visits can also help doctors diagnose more serious complications of pregnancy such gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

The usual prenatal care schedule recommended for most healthy pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 35 years old is:

• every 4 to 6 weeks for the first 32 weeks,
• every 2 to 3 weeks for the 32nd through 37th weeks,
• every week from the 37th week until the delivery.

However, more frequent prenatal checkups may be needed for moms with certain health concerns, multiple births or high-risk pregnancies.

#2. Prenatal Nutrition

Following a healthy, safe, nutritious diet can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and help ensure that baby is getting everything she needs to develop properly.

Approximately 300 extra calories are needed every day during pregnancy. These extra calories should come from a healthy balance of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – but sweets and fats should be kept to a minimum. A healthy diet can also help reduce Mom’s nausea and constipation during pregnancy!

Sufficient fluid intake is also an essential part of pregnancy nutrition, which should include 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) of water every day. Restrict your intake of caffeine and artificial sweeteners, and of course avoid all forms of alcohol.

#3. Prenatal Exercise

The weight gain and fatigue of pregnancy can make it hard to get motivated to exercise. And, some women are also afraid of hurting their baby by working out. But exercise during pregnancy is actual good for mother and baby. Ideally, pregnant women should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week – which is about 30 minutes 5 days a week.

Aerobic activity involves rhythmically moving large muscles of the body (like those in the legs and arms). Walking is great aerobic exercise when you are expecting. Other pregnant moms may enjoy putting on music and dancing around the house (carefully and moderately of course!) Swimming is also gentle on pregnant bellies and joints while providing an excellent aerobic workout.

#4. Prenatal Vitamins

During pregnancy, women need additional folic acid and iron – typically much more that can be obtained with a normal Western diet alone.

Folic acid helps prevent serious abnormalities of the fetal brain and spinal cord that are called neural tube birth defects. Ideally, a woman should begin taking extra folic acid at least 3 months before becoming pregnant. While folic acid has been added to certain foods such as cereals, breads, pasta, and other grain-based foods, a prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid is recommended. Research shows that taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 70%.

Iron helps a woman’s body supply oxygen to the fetus and placenta, supporting proper development. Iron also helps prevent anemia, a condition in which blood has a low number of healthy red blood cells. However, women with certain blood disorders (such as thalassemia or hemochromatosis) cannot tolerate iron supplementation.

Prenatal vitamins also contain calcium and vitamin D to help promote the development of baby’s teeth and bones. They typically also contain vitamin C, vitamin A, a B vitamin complex, zinc and iodine.

The flip side to taking prenatal vitamins is avoiding certain supplements and medications that can harm the fetus. Some acne treatments and herbal supplements (like black cohosh and goldenseal) can be dangerous to an unborn child. Surprisingly, excess levels of Vitamin E should also not be taken during pregnancy. Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor before conceiving, to make sure they are safe for your baby.

Our experience obstetrics providers will help you determine which prenatal vitamin is best for your unique needs!

#5. Avoid Toxins During Pregnancy

Avoiding exposure to potentially harmful or toxic substances during pregnancy is also as important as eating the right foods. Exposure to lead, radiation, and tobacco smoke can interfere with normal fetal development.

Both alcohol and cigarette smoke during pregnancy have been shown to increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Additionally, alcohol consumption also increases the risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, including abnormal facial features, a small head, poor coordination, impaired memory, and intellectual disability. Alcohol use during pregnancy can also cause problems with the baby’s heart, kidneys, or bones.

Prenatal Care | Dearborn & Lincoln Park OBGYNs

Choosing an obstetrician is one of the most important and personal decisions you will ever make. When you choose AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn or Lincoln Park you can feel confident and comfortable knowing that you and your baby will receive the highest level of prenatal care, in a caring and nurturing environment.

AHA Women’s Health, with offices in Dearborn and Lincoln Park, offers compassionate, state-of-the-art, prenatal care for women during every stage of pregnancy. We provide expectant mothers access to the highest quality medical equipment and prenatal care, including ultrasounds operated by the most skilled, certified sonographers.

If you are trying to conceive a child or are already pregnant, schedule an appointment at AHA Women’s Health today.

Prenatal Care | Dearborn & Lincoln Park: 313.388.4247