Prenatal care is the care woman gets before pregnancy and before her baby is born. Getting early and regular prenatal care is important for both the mother and the developing baby.
Prenatal care includes health care, along with education and counseling about how to handle different aspects of pregnancy. A health care provider may discuss many issues, such as nutrition and physical activity, what to expect during the birth process, and basic skills for caring for an infant.
Almost 4 million American women give birth every year, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly a third of them will have some kind of pregnancy-related complication. Those who don’t get adequate prenatal care run the risk that such complications will go undetected or won’t be dealt with soon enough. This can lead to potentially serious consequences for both the mother and her baby. If you are pregnant, get important prenatal tests and see your doctor or midwife regularly. Women who get prenatal care have healthier babies.
Prenatal Information
In addition, health care providers are now recommending a woman see a health care provider for preconception care, before she is even trying to get pregnant.
