Prenatal Care

Your Health and Medical History
When possible, visit your doctor before you become pregnant, so you can take care of any existing medical problems and routine exams. If you know you're in good health before you get pregnant, you'll feel more secure about your growing baby. You'll know your Pap smear is normal, your breast exam is all right and any medical conditions are under control. You can have a mammogram, if you need one. If a pre consultation visit is not possible, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as you realize you are pregnant.
Your health affects the health of your growing baby. Good nutrition, proper exercise, sufficient rest and attention to how you take care of yourself are all important to your baby. These matters also affect you and how well you tolerate being pregnant.

PRENATAL CARE
Prenatal care is the care you receive throughout your pregnancy. Special care from professionals during pregnancy will help identify any pregnancy problems or conditions before they become serious. Always feel free to ask questions about your pregnancy at your prenatal checkups.
If you have confidence in your doctor, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Pregnancy is a special time in your life; good prenatal care helps ensure that you do everything possible to make it the best 9 months possible for your growing baby, too.

Your First Prenatal Visit
Your first prenatal visit may be one of the longest. Your doctor will ask questions, order lab tests and give you a physical examination.
For a complete medical history, your doctor will ask about your menstrual periods, recent birth-control methods, previous pregnancies and other details. Tell him about any miscarriages or abortions you have had. Include information about hospital stays or surgical procedures.
Discuss any medications you take or those you are allergic to.
Your family's medical history may be important, as in the case of diabetes or other chronic illnesses. Discuss any chronic medical problems you have. If you have medical records, bring them with you.

On your first visit, you will probably have a pelvic exam, which helps determine if your uterus is the appropriate size for how far along you believe you are in your pregnancy. You'll have a Pap smear if you haven't had one in the last year, and other tests may be necessary. (See chapter 9 for more information on tests.

Normal Prenatal Care
In most cases, you will visit your doctor every 4 weeks for the first 7 months, then every 2 weeks until the last month, then once a week. You may be scheduled for visits more frequently if necessary. On every visit, your weight and blood pressure will be checked; they provide valuable information about how your pregnancy is progressing.

Taking Others to Your Office Visits
If you want to bring your partner with you to your prenatal visits, do so. These visits can help him understand what is happening to you and feel that he's a part of your pregnancy. And it's nice for your partner and your doctor to meet before labor begins.
It's all right to take your mother or mother-in-law, too. If you want to bring anyone else, discuss it with your doctor first.

Many offices don't mind if you bring your children with you; other offices ask that you not bring children to your office visits. Talking with your doctor about a problem can be difficult if you're trying to take care of a young child at the same time. If you do bring children, observe the following rules of etiquette.
•    Ask about office policy ahead of time.
•    Bring only one child to a visit.
•    Don't bring a child on your first visit, when you will probably have a pelvic exam.
•    If you want your child to hear the baby's heartbeat, wait to bring him until after you have heard it.
•    Bring something to entertain your child in case you have to wait. Not all offices have toys or books for kids.
•    Be considerate of other patients; if your child has a cold or is sick, don't bring him.