Receiving proper prenatal care gives your baby the best chance at a healthy start to life. Skipping important prenatal visits could be harmful to you and your baby. Explore three essential reasons to keep up with regular prenatal care appointments during pregnancy.
1. Detects Potential Issues With Baby
Mothers who don’t receive prenatal care are more likely to have a baby with a low birth weight or one that dies from complications. When a woman has multiple visits with a prenatal care provider, it’s easier to identify and treat health issues early.
Some problems screened for in a developing baby are:
- Fetal problems. This could include a birth defect, structural development problem, disease or genetic condition.
- Placenta previa. The placenta covers part of the opening of the cervix, which may change how the baby is delivered.
2. Helps a Mother Avoid Pregnancy Complications
Just as your provider will check to see whether your baby is OK, they will also monitor your condition for any complications during pregnancy. Some women may develop:
- Anemia (low blood cell count)
- Urinary tract infections
- Depression
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes (high blood sugar triggered by pregnancy)
- Infection
These can be treated effectively if caught in time. Even if you don’t experience any of these conditions, your provider will help you manage other common pregnancy discomforts, such as morning sickness, constipation, hemorrhoids or swelling.
3. Provides Valuable Insight
At checkups, your provider will give you specific recommendations and steps to follow so you and your baby stay well. For example, your provider may:
- Discuss which medications to continue or stop taking
- Administer any adult vaccines needed before delivery
- Recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid
- Show you how to prevent infections
- Educate you about lifestyles or environments that can cause harm to your baby
Mom’s lifestyle choices while pregnant can affect her baby. Your physician will advise you against smoking, drinking alcohol and taking recreational drugs. There are also things you may not think to avoid while pregnant. For example, you should speak with your provider about any X-rays you need while pregnant, especially of the abdominal area.
In general, radiation needs to be avoided during pregnancy. The small amount of radiation used could harm an unborn child. Certain foods should be avoided while pregnant, such as undercooked meats and fish with high mercury content. Even stress may affect the development of your baby. Your provider will inform you of any environmental factors that could pose harm.
