Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is essential to ensure the healthy growth and development of a baby. Regular visits to a health care provider will allow for the baby's progress to be monitored. Prenatal care will identify any potential problems before they become serious. Women who receive prenatal care have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely or have pregnancy-related problems.
Prenatal care should begin as soon as possible and, in the early stages of pregnancy, include monthly doctor's visits. These visits will become more frequent as the pregnancy progresses. The visits include a complete physical exam, blood and urine samples and answers to any questions. The doctor will measure the uterus, take ultrasounds and perform several other tests to keep the mother and baby as healthy as possible.