What is prenatal care? Why Is Prenatal Care Important? Prenatal care is a generalised term for all the healthcare treatments and care a patient gets during pregnancy. As soon as you suspect or find out about your pregnancy, you should schedule an appointment with your gynaecologist or obstetrician.
The primary objective of prenatal care is to look after the well-being of the pregnant parent and the unborn child. Regular prenatal checkups can provide beneficial healthcare throughout your pregnancy. It is also a good way for preparing new parents for the child by providing counselling, emotional support and education.
Prenatal care has numerous benefits for both the parent and the child, and in this blog, we will delve into the benefits of early prenatal care and when you should consider it.
A] 7 Important Benefits Of Seeking Early Prenatal Care
1. Early Detection Of Pregnancy
Seeking prenatal care when you detect the early signs of pregnancy can help you reach out to a medical professional who can confirm the pregnancy. Early confirmation of a pregnancy can help the pregnant person can mentally, emotionally and physically prepare themselves for the pregnancy. The pregnant person can prepare plans, diets and exercises to stay fit and healthy while prioritising the child’s health at an early stage.
Early confirmation of pregnancy via prenatal care can help first-time parents learn about the risk of pregnancy complications and take appropriate steps in time. Detection of risks at an early stage of pregnancy is very important for the parent’s and child’s well-being.
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2. Monitoring Maternal Health
Monitoring maternal health is essential to avoid risks during pregnancy and at the time of birth. Regular prenatal check-ups from an early stage can help medical professionals to diagnose and treat any complications or risks that could turn into complications in the future.
Medical professionals track and monitor conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, weight gain, thyroid and blood pressure. Regular screenings can significantly reduce the risks to the mother’s health and by extension the foetus’s health.
3. Foetal Development Monitoring
The development and growth of the foetus can change every week during pregnancy. Medical professionals conduct tests like ultrasounds to stay updated on how the foetus is growing.
Regular testing can help the doctors and the parents stay updated on the health of the unborn child and also inform them about abnormalities if any. This can help mitigate risks and take steps to avoid complications.
4. Nutritional Guidance
Most new parents do not have information about the right nutrition and the best foods for the pregnant person’s health. Seeking pre-pregnancy and prenatal care can help the parents to understand the importance of the right nutrition.
Doctors can provide customised diet plans which ensure the mother gets all the required vitamins and nutrients. Proper nutrition goes a long way in ensuring the good health of the mother and the foetus.
5. Screening And Testing
Ultrasound, blood tests, prenatal cell-free DNA screening and other testing and screening play an important role in identifying birth defects. Such defects can be either genetic abnormalities or chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus.
Early prenatal care provides complete information to the parents so they can seek appropriate medical interventions or counselling. If the risk of genetic and chromosomal defects is heightened doctors will offer comprehensive treatments and solutions.
6. Emotional Support And Counseling
The parent’s mental health can significantly affect the health and well-being of the unborn child. Prenatal counselling provides many valuable insights and emotional support for parents to take care of their own mental health as well as their child’s.
A prenatal care plan can help to cope with anxiety, doubts and stress which come with pregnancy. It creates a positive environment for the child to grow.
7. Education And Preparation
Early prenatal care mentally prepares the parents for pregnancy and child care. It provides invaluable information and education about care during pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood.
It provides education about labour, physical changes, breathing exercises, breastfeeding techniques and more. Early prenatal care can prepare the parents for all the challenges that a new parent faces.
B] When should you schedule your first prenatal appointment?
There is no ideal time for scheduling your first prenatal appointment, you can set up an appointment whenever you feel comfortable. Usually, it is advisable to schedule your prenatal appointment after you find out about your pregnancy.
Early scheduling can help prepare the parents on how to take care of themselves and the baby during pregnancy, childbirth and after the baby is born. It can also help in identifying risks and complications and address them at an early stage.
If the pregnant individual is experiencing any complications such as irregular or heavy periods they must schedule the appointment at once. Prenatal counselling can also help with pre-existing health conditions and complications.
1. Factors Influencing The Timing Of The First Appointment
There can be various factors that can either delay or advance the first prenatal appointment. The pregnant person should focus on finding an experienced and expert healthcare provider who is available in a timely manner.
Financial considerations, insurance coverage and personal circumstance are some of the factors which could delay the first appointment. Some healthcare professionals are willing to discuss and provide solutions for these problems, so make sure to communicate openly with your doctor of choice.
2. What To Expect For Your Future Prenatal Appointments?
Prenatal care involves various tests and diagnostics to monitor the health of the parents as well as the foetus. These tests include blood sample tests, heart rate and other vitals, physical examinations, urine tests, and ultrasounds. The doctor might also ask a few questions and provide time to ask your own doubts.
3. What Happens At My First Medical Visit For Prenatal Care?
Depending on the healthcare provider, the first prenatal visit might include different things for every individual. Generally, most doctors would like to see your past medical reports, mental health reports and gynaecological and obstetrical history. The doctors might inform and advise you about the physical changes that you might face during pregnancy.
4. What Common Prenatal Tests Will I Be Given?
Some of the common prenatal tests include blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound examinations, genetic screenings, vitals, pelvic and breast exams and blood sugar tests.
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Conclusion
Prenatal care plays an important role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and aims to educate the parents about pregnancy, labour, childbirth and parenthood. It also helps to identify risks and complications in the pregnancy due to the mother’s health problems or genetic defects in the foetus.
Seeking prenatal care as soon as you learn about your pregnancy can help you to detect and address health and pregnancy-related complications at an early stage. Being informed at an early stage allows the parent to make an informed decision and seek appropriate medical interventions, or access specialised care if necessary.
If you are looking for early parental care, feel free to contact us today. We provide comprehensive prenatal services and would like to offer you the best prenatal care possible.
Neha Goel
Neha Goel, a Psychology alumna and MBA graduate from CASS Business School, London, brings together her expertise as a Reiki Practitioner and Practice Manager. She integrates psychology and business strategies to foster holistic well-being and personal development.