Antenatal Care

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Antenatal Care
Antenatal care is a practice where routine
screening and care for the safety of mother and
child is ensured during pregnancy. It is
important to take care of many things during
pregnancy. By opting preventive healthcare you
can keep yourself and your foetus healthy.
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WHAT is antenatal care
Antenatal care is a practice where routine
screening and care for the safety of mother and
child is ensured during pregnancy. It is
important to take care of many things during
pregnancy. By opting preventive healthcare you
can keep yourself and your foetus
healthy. Doctors who looks after you during
pregnancy check your physical condition, weight
and urine sample. On the basis of the current
stage and condition, the doctor may also perform
a blood test and ultrasound. Apart from this,
your doctor also advises you on aspects related
to food, lifestyle, yoga and exercise. From your
side, its very important to find information
about pregnancy care and learn how to
avoid stress during pregnancy, as it is very
important for a proper antenatal care.
What is the purpose of antenatal care?
Prenatal care is very important for mother and
baby during pregnancy. It is important to
understand antenatal care meaning. It helps to
keep you and your baby healthy. Your doctor
monitors the development of the foetus during
prenatal care, as well as do regular tests to
detect and prevent potential problems. According
to research, mothers who do not get enough
prenatal care, their babies have three times
lower birth weight in comparison to other babies.
Also, the risk of demise increases by 5 times in
these mothers.
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When to take the first appointment for antenatal
care?
You can start prenatal care as soon as you know
you are pregnant. However, you can consult a
doctor at an Antenatal care hospital even before
you are pregnant and keep in touch with him. In
case it is not possible to stay in touch with
your doctor before pregnancy then at least you
must consult him the first time your menstrual
cycle stops. After that, you should start taking
regular antenatal appointments in the best
hospital for antenatal care.
How often should you visit the doctor during
antenatal care?
Healthy women between the ages of 18 to 35 years
should visit an Antenatal care specialist during
pregnancy in the following way The first visit
should be between the fourth week of pregnancy to
the 13th week of pregnancy. From the 14th week of
pregnancy to the 28th week of pregnancy, once
every month. From the 29th week of pregnancy to
the 35th week of pregnancy, twice every
month. From the 36th week of pregnancy to once
every week However, if you are over 35 years old
or have any type of risk in your pregnancy, you
may have to see an antenatal care doctor multiple
times. You can search for the best doctors for
antenatal care.
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What happens when you visit a doctor for the
first time during prenatal care?

• On meeting the doctor for antenatal care for the
  first time, they can
• Talk about your diet and lifestyle.
• Ask about prenatal vitamins (folic acid) which
  are necessary before pregnancy.
• Can ask about your medical histories like a
  disease, operation or earlier pregnancy.
• Can talk about your family's medical history.
• Can take samples of your blood and urine for a
  preliminary test.
• Can note your blood pressure, pulse rate, height
  and weight.
• Can ask about every medicine, supplements and
  drugs you are taking
• Can assess your due date
• Will answer all your questions
• Along with it, they can advise you about a few
  changes that will make your pregnancy safe.
• Therefore, always check with an experienced
  doctor, before taking or using anything new
  during pregnancy.
• During this time, they can also do some tests
  recommended by pregnancy care doctors.

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What do doctors check in the antenatal care
routine checkup?

• During the antenatal care routine checkup, the
  antenatal care doctors can check
• To ensure the health of mother and child
• Weight and blood pressure
• Body inflammation
• Fetal status
• Fetal heart rate
• May do a urine test
• Measure stomach development
• May recommend genetic testing (As per your
  decision)
• Your prenatal care gynaecologist will keep you
  informing.

What is an antenatal test and why is it necessary?
It is necessary to have knowledge of important
scans during pregnancy as well as an important
blood test during pregnancy. Prenatal tests are
various procedures that ensure that the mother
and foetus are healthy. Some prenatal
investigations can also reveal possible birth
defects. Prenatal testing during pregnancy is
extremely important. Your doctor may suggest a
prenatal test at a certain time of your
pregnancy, to ensure that you are healthy and
your fetus is developing normally and for the
other risk factors. Some women may have a higher
risk of problems and birth defects, your doctor
will tell you which tests may be right for you,
depending on your condition. Importance of scan
during pregnancy is also an additional fact to
consider.
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What kind of changes in the body occur during
pregnancy?

• Many physical changes occur during pregnancy and
  women go through many hormonal changes too.
• Changes in body during pregnancy are as follows
• During pregnancy, your uterus can increase in
  size by 500 to 1,000 times due to your growing
  baby. It can range from the size of a fist to the
  size of a watermelon.
• The uterus becomes 18 times larger than its
  normal size.
• The size of the breasts and nipples also
  increases.
• In general, weight can increase from 15 to 16 kg
  (even more in some women).
• The sex drive of women during pregnancy can
  increase or decrease.
• Some women may notice changes in the texture and
  volume of hair on their body.
• Problems during pregnancy are as follows
• Nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning.
• Swollen and tender breasts.
• Heartburn
• Constipation
• Feeling pain in the lower back and hips
• Feeling tired
• Insomnia
• Cramping during pregnancy
• You should go for regular antenatal check-up to
  understand the changes in your lifestyle to feel
  more comfortable during pregnancy. Your doctor
  will suggest you feel better during pregnancy,
  follow them.

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What are the health-related problems in a
pregnant woman?

• Women have to face many health problems in the
  journey of pregnancy.
• Following are the health-related problems during
  pregnancy
• Anaemia due to iron deficiency
• Gestational diabetes
• Hypertension
• Painless bleeding
• Some sexually transmitted infections ( STIs)
  including other infections.
• Recurring labour pain late in pregnancy

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