Posted by Your OB/GYN or maternal-fetal specialist will ask questions that are essential to the progress of your pregnancy. We suggest writing down non-urgent questions between appointments, so as to bring them along when visiting.
Be sure to disclose all of the details of your health and family history to ensure that you get the care required to stay healthy and give birth without complications. This will allow for optimal delivery outcomes.
1. Preventive care
Pregnancy brings with it many new concerns and decisions. From choosing nursery colors and baby names, to who will comprise your healthcare team during this 40-week journey; from choosing an OB-GYN, midwife, or maternal fetal medicine specialist (also known as perinatologist)–deciding who you need may prove daunting at times!
An obstetrics and gynecology trained health care provider should be your go-to for regular prenatal checkups during your pregnancy. They’re the perfect opportunity for your provider to get to know you, monitor your progress, and prevent complications before they arise – plus most are covered by insurance, so there are no extra expenses!
Women experiencing preexisting health issues during their pregnancy or experiencing new complications during their gestation may benefit from seeing an MFM expert. These specialized OB-GYNs possess advanced training in treating high-risk pregnancies and will closely monitor both mother and baby throughout. Furthermore, MFM experts are equipped to manage preexisting health conditions as well as detect and treat congenital diseases in fetuses during gestation.
Perinatologists possess advanced MFM training as well as expertise in gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, family planning and benign gynecology – making them uniquely equipped to manage both your health and pregnancy risks throughout your gestation. In collaboration with other specialists such as cardiologists/cardiac surgeons/neurologists/gastroenterologists/endocrinologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. This allows them to manage risks throughout gestation by working closely alongside specialists in other specialties specialized in high risk pregnancy care such as cardiologists/cardiac surgical intervention/family planning/ben gynecological practices/bg.
2. Monitoring your health
Monitoring during gestation isn’t just essential for the unborn fetus; it is also necessary for both mother and fetus. Failure to identify and address potential complications early could result in devastating results that affect both mother and fetus, such as lack of oxygen for brain development that causes permanent harm.
Your doctor or midwife will conduct routine prenatal visits during which they’ll check your blood pressure, and may recommend purchasing a home monitor so you can test yourself regularly at home. They may also encourage you to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption since these can increase the risk of serious complications like growth retardation and low birth weight.
At every prenatal care class visit, you will be weighed, given urine and blood tests, and undergo physical examination to measure your uterus (fundal height). Furthermore, they will listen for your baby’s heartbeat every appointment; internal fetal monitoring may also be performed if external monitoring does not pick it up clearly due to obesity or frequent movements during gestation.
For women experiencing high-risk pregnancies, your physician will work with trained maternal-fetal medicine physicians (perinatologists), who specialize in maternal-fetal health before, during, and shortly after giving birth. These experts can help you understand your risks as well as offer advice about lifestyle modifications, diet, exercise regimens, medication and any necessary procedures to keep the mother and baby healthy throughout gestation.
3. Preventing complications
Prenatal care is essential whether you are planning your first pregnancy or expanding your family. Prenatal experts specialize in caring for pregnant women throughout their gestation and delivery process, from managing potential complications during labor through preventative measures and diagnostic tests to ensure both mother and baby remain healthy throughout this process.
Most pregnancies are uncomplicated, but some women have health conditions which increase their chances of complications during gestation. These problems could stem from either her own health issues or from gestation itself – including genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or Tay-Sachs disease; others could arise due to existing medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure in mother.
Prenatal care can help minimize complications. Prenatal experts may conduct physical exams, urinalysis tests and other diagnostic measures to assess how well a pregnancy is progressing; as well as discussing lifestyle and nutritional habits to reduce risks. They may suggest diets or supplements to ensure mother is receiving enough essential nutrients; they can also provide advice about managing emotional and physical stress during gestation.
4. Taking care of your baby
Prenatal care can ensure a healthier pregnancy and birth experience, by monitoring your health, testing for risk factors and providing information that keeps both of you safe. You will learn about weight gain during your gestation as well as danger signs to recognize. In addition, advice will be given about which foods may not be best.
Your obstetrician will also be available to answer any questions about your pregnancy, such as those regarding spider veins that appear during gestation and their cause (extra blood flow) causing spider veins. They will also advise you how to count baby kicks as another method for monitoring health during gestation.
If your pregnancy is high-risk, a perinatologist can offer additional care during gestation and childbirth. This specialist is trained in fetal diagnosis, interventions and maternal critical care – which means their support during labor and delivery will be invaluable.
Reliable prenatal care is one of the key components to having a successful pregnancy. Be sure to visit an obstetrician as soon as you discover you’re expecting, and arrange regular appointments. Seek recommendations from friends and family as well as be wary of informal advice from strangers.