Becoming a mother is one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. However, women that do not get adequate prenatal care run the risk of pregnancy related difficulties that can lead to potentially grave consequences for both the mother and her baby.

The sooner you begin prenatal care, the better your odds of ensuring your own health and that of your baby.

Prenatal Care Before Becoming Pregnant

Prenatal care should ideally start before you get pregnant. The first step is to visit a doctor for a complete check-up. Routine tests are done to eliminate the possibilities of any illness or disease that could affect your baby.

If you already suffer from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, depression, asthma, hypertension, heart disease, allergies, or other conditions, you should talk to your doctor about how it could affect your pregnancy. There may be a need to change or eliminate certain medications to lessen risks to the foetus.

Women with diabetes need to keep a close watch on their blood glucose levels. Abnormal levels of blood sugar raises the risk of birth disorders and other complications.

Habits like smoking or alcohol consumption can pose a serious health risk to the unborn baby. Women who are planning to have a child should start taking vitamins that contain folic acid, iron and calcium. Neural tube defects can harm the spine and nervous system of the foetus within the first 28 days of pregnancy. Hence it is very important to include folic acid in your diet.

Tests may be required if you or your partner has a family history of a genetic disorder and you believe either of you may pass on the threat to your baby.

What Occurs During Prenatal Visits?

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you should visit a doctor to discuss your medical history. The doctor checks your blood pressure and your weight is made note of. These measurements are taken at every subsequent visit. The doctor also conducts a pelvic examination to check the shape and size of the uterus. A pap smear is done to check for abnormalities of the cervix.

Samples of urine and blood are taken to check: 

• Bacterial infection in your urine
• High sugar levels (an indicator of diabetes)
• High protein levels which can indicate if you are at risk for preeclampsia which is a type of high blood pressure occurring during pregnancy
• Low levels of iron (anaemia)
• Blood cell count
• Infectious diseases such as syphilis, HIV or hepatitis
• Blood type 

Ultrasound is done from time to time to help determine the due date and to check the baby's growth and position in the uterus.

Proper prenatal care ensures that you maximise your chances of having a healthy baby.