Every woman desires a healthy pregnancy since it is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. You can improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy by getting early and regular prenatal care. While most people start their prenatal appointments during pregnancy, this care can begin before planning to conceive. During pregnancy, your body undergoes various changes, hence why pregnancy care Houston is vital during and after pregnancy.
Here are reasons why prenatal care is crucial.
Your health depends on it.
Prenatal care is vital for your health and that of your growing baby. While most pregnancies proceed without complications because it is natural for women to conceive and give birth, prenatal visits will detect any potential health concerns. For example, your healthcare provider may test blood glucose levels to ensure they are within a normal range.
If you have gestational diabetes, they may recommend lifestyle adjustments such as exercising and eating healthy foods to reduce your blood sugar. Sometimes they may also prescribe medications when lifestyle changes alone are not effective. When left unresolved, gestational diabetes can cause complications like preterm birth or stillbirth. Other potential problems detected during a prenatal visit include anemia and preeclampsia.
Tracks your baby’s growth and development
The growth and development of your child is a significant indicator of how they are doing there. During your prenatal appointment, your doctor measures your belly from the sternum to the top of your pubic bone to estimate the bay’s growth. Later in the pregnancy, your doctor may perform an ultrasound to check your baby’s development. An ultrasound may also be used to determine the baby’s gender, but specialists caution against ultrasound use during pregnancy for non-medical reasons.
Get nutritional information
During pregnancy, various changes occur in your body, so you may need to adjust some things. For example, your healthcare provider may recommend diet changes so that your baby’s nutritional needs are met. Your doctor will share specific information about your recommended dietary intake during the gestational period, including what you should and shouldn’t eat. Here is also when your provider demystifies some pregnancy myths. For example, contrary to popular belief, pregnancy doesn’t mean you should double your meal portions. You only need about 350 extra calories for a single child per day. You learn about all this information and more during your prenatal appointments.
Schedule necessary testing
Your doctor may recommend various tests depending on your age, medical history, and family history. For example, if genetic abnormalities run in your family, your provider may recommend an amniocentesis test during the second trimester. The test is predominantly used to check for abnormalities, including Down syndrome. It also determines your baby’s health if it has a different blood type than you. The same test can also be used to verify the maturity of the baby’s lungs. Your doctor may recommend other tests depending on your medical history.
Prepare for labor and delivery.
Creating your labor and delivery plan is mainly up to you and your partner, but how well you out the program depends on your knowledge. Your prenatal visits offer a chance to ask your doctor questions you may have about labor and delivery.
If you are pregnant or planning to get a baby, visit your doctor at Body Balance Chiropractic & Wellness Center for pregnancy care to ensure you enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
