Preventive Care for Pregnant Women: What to Know
Lindsay Knake
| 4 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
If you decide to have a baby, it’s important to seek preventive care to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Preventive care includes regularly scheduled appointments, screenings and lifestyle guidance to lower risks and manage any problems early. Here are ways to approach preventive care during pregnancy.
What to expect at prenatal checkups
Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you are planning to become pregnant and you have known health risks or are age 35 or older, consider a preconception appointment. While you can start these appointments with your primary care physician, you should also look for an obstetrician, a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth.
You can expect several prenatal checkups through your pregnancy:
- Once a month from weeks four through 28
- Twice a month for weeks 28 through 36
- Weekly for weeks 36 to birth
The first prenatal checkup
The first prenatal appointment will likely include a full exam, including a blood panel, breast exam, pelvic exam and cervical exam. The blood panel will test for:
- Blood type and Rh factor
- Infections such as toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis
- Anemia
- Immunity to previous diseases such as varicella (chicken pox)
Your physician will also talk about your lifestyle and habits, including diet and exercise, and what vitamins and minerals you will need. You will also review current medications you may be taking, and which medications to avoid through the pregnancy. Know your own health history and your family’s health history before the appointment to discuss any conditions that may affect pregnancy.
Continuing prenatal appointments
Regular prenatal visits will check the baby’s growth and progress and your blood pressure and weight. Checking for depression and mental health conditions is also an important part of prenatal visits.
Here are common pregnancy screenings:
- First trimester screen to check for chromosomal and genetic disorders between 9 and 18 weeks
- Gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks
- Urine test to screen for urinary tract infection and preeclampsia
The first trimester and biophysical profile screenings typically include ultrasounds, in which you may also learn the sex of the baby. Your doctor will discuss the results and manage care for any conditions.
Your doctor may schedule additional checkups and further screenings if you have a high-risk pregnancy or any health conditions that affect your pregnancy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). High risk pregnancies may include:
- Women who are very young or older than age 35
- Pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and autoimmune disorders
- Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia
- Multiple pregnancy of twins or more
During the appointments, ask your doctor any questions or bring up any concerns.
Diet and exercise during pregnancy
Eating a nutritious diet is essential for the health of both mother and baby. Many women take supplements recommended by their physician. Vitamins and minerals particularly important for the baby’s development include:
- Folic acid
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Calcium
If you need to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals, be careful to follow the recommended daily allowances set by your physician.
Pregnant women should avoid alcohol, tobacco, unpasteurized cheeses, fish that contain high levels of mercury and processed meats, among other foods, according to the DHHS.
Exercise is important and helps strengthen muscles to prepare your body for childbirth. You can discuss safe ways to exercise depending on your fitness levels and overall health.
Preparing for birth
Preventive care also includes choosing where you will give birth. Knowing where your doctor is and which hospital you will go to helps when labor begins.
Birthing classes, offered at hospitals and health care providers, will teach new parents what to expect through the stages of labor. Knowing the process and having strategies will help you when it is time to give birth.
Image: Getty Images
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