The Importance of Prenatal Care and Perinatal Care

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 4 million American women give birth every year. Nearly one 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. That, in turn, can lead to potentially serious consequences for both the mother and her baby. These statistics aren't meant to alarm you, but rather to convey the importance of starting prenatal care as early as possible — ideally, before you even become pregnant. Of course, this isn't always possible or practical. But the sooner in your pregnancy you begin, the better your chances of ensuring your own health and that of your baby.

Additionally, and equally as important, if your pregnancy is complicated by medical, obstetrical, or fetal problems, then Perinatal care with a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist can help to minimize these complications. This important element of pregnancy care is provided by See Baby.

Prenatal care is the care you get while you are pregnant. This care can be provided by a doctor, midwife or other health care professional.

The goal of prenatal care is to monitor the progress of a pregnancy and to identify potential problems before they become serious for either mom or baby.

All mothers-to-be benefit from prenatal care. Women who see a health care provider regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely, and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy.

During prenatal visits, the health care provider:

• Teaches the woman about pregnancy
• Monitors any medical conditions she may have (such as high blood pressure)
• Tests for problems with the baby
• Tests for health problems in the woman (such as gestational diabetes)
• Refers the woman specialize care in some circumstances to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist to co-manage medical or fetal complications

What can you do?

As soon as you think you are pregnant, call your health care provider to find out when you should come in for your first prenatal care appointment. An early determination of the need to involve a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist in the care of your pregnancy can be made at this time.

During your pregnancy, make sure you attend all of your prenatal care appointments, even if you’re feeling fine.

Sometimes getting to an appointment may be difficult or it may seem like a waste of time. For the sake of your baby, though, make getting prenatal care a priority.

Ideally, it's best to see your provider before you become pregnant. This is called a preconception visit. This visit can address concerns and issues before you get pregnant.