What Are Prenatal Care Services?

From the moment that pregnancy is confirmed, doctors monitor the baby’s development and the mother’s health to prevent complications. Prenatal care, also called obstetrics, includes routine checkups, ultrasounds, and screenings that a doctor does during the pregnancy. Here are some things prenatal care services include:

Regular Checkups

During regular prenatal checkups, healthcare providers monitor the health of both mother and baby. They take weight and blood pressure, discuss any symptoms or concerns, check fetal growth, and make necessary changes in care. The fetal heartbeat is heard, and the uterus is measured to determine the baby’s growth. The checkup also serves as a chance to discuss elements of lifestyle and nutrition that support the baby’s growth. 

Ultrasound Scans

Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the developing fetus. These scans confirm the pregnancy, help estimate the due date, and monitor fetal growth. Early ultrasounds also look for multiple pregnancies and determine the baby’s sex. Later scans assess fetal movements, organ development, and the amount of amniotic fluid. Doctors can use ultrasounds to detect potential abnormalities, receive key information regarding the health and development of the baby, and help with pregnancy management and delivery decisions.

Blood Pressure Monitoring  

Preeclampsia is dangerous to mother and baby and can cause high blood pressure as well as damage to organs. It is diagnosed by doctors who check a pregnant woman’s blood pressure during prenatal visits. If blood pressure rises significantly, obstetrics professionals can act quickly. 

Healthcare providers review changes over time and may recommend lifestyle adjustments, medication, or other tests as needed. Blood pressure is monitored to make sure that pregnancy and labor do not occur with hypertension complications.

Routine Blood Tests  

Routine blood tests are used during prenatal care to check the mother’s health and detect problems. These tests determine whether the mother is anemic (fatigued), and measuring hemoglobin levels indicates how much this has affected fetal growth. Doctors will test for infections that can affect the baby, like HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B. Blood tests reveal the mother’s blood type and Rh factor so that blood incompatibilities between mother and baby can be managed. 

Glucose Screening  

Doctors use glucose screening to test for gestational diabetes, a condition that can develop during pregnancy. After the mother drinks a glucose-rich beverage, a blood test determines if the condition is present. If diagnosed, the condition is managed with dietary changes, exercise, or insulin. Good management helps prevent high birth weight or premature delivery. 

Urine Tests  

Doctors may routinely perform urine tests during prenatal visits to look for signs of infection, high protein, or too much sugar. They also use urine tests to detect urinary tract infections, which should be treated early to prevent other problems from occurring. Urine tests help determine the mother’s health and guide further diagnostic or therapeutic steps.

Work With Obstetrics Professionals 

The obstetrician is a guardian of maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. During prenatal care, regular ultrasounds, screenings, and checkups allow doctors to identify and treat complications sooner. This allows expectant mothers to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Contact an obstetrician today to help you prepare for your child’s birth.