Pregnancy

Why is prenatal care important?

Prenatal care is a special type of healthcare focused on supporting the needs of both mother and baby. These visits help ensure that your baby is developing properly and that you remain in good overall health as you progress through the stages of pregnancy.

Prenatal care includes routine pregnancy checkups as well as prenatal testing. The tests you need depend on many different factors, but might include a combination of the following:

• Basic blood count, type, and Rh factor
• Hepatitis B, HIV, rubella, syphilis
• Pap smear
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Ultrasound
• Genetic screening for chromosomal issues
• Urinalysis
• Basic vital signs including blood pressure, weight, and height

Gallatin Women’s Center has an on-site lab, simplifying the screening process. Depending on the results of your initial tests, additional screenings may be recommended throughout your pregnancy.

What happens during the first prenatal visit?

Your initial visit will probably take place when you are at least eight weeks pregnant, unless you have a medical condition that requires an earlier visit. This will be one of the longer prenatal visits, as your doctor covers a lot of information.

These are some of the more common topics covered at the initial prenatal visit:

• Your overall health and lifestyle
• Previous pregnancies
• Family health history
• Stress and anxiety level
• Your estimated due date

This is also your opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have, or to ask questions regarding your pregnancy and delivery. Bringing a written list of questions or a friend or family member can help you remember to cover all of the topics that are important to you.

What can I do to have a healthy pregnancy?

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to schedule routine prenatal appointments. These visits provide your Gallatin Women’s Center obstetrician the information needed to create a personalized pregnancy plan.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to pregnancy health and wellness. There is a great deal of misinformation around the topic of pregnancy, from questionable online resources to well-intentioned but ill-informed advice from friends and family. Never hesitate to reach out to your Gallatin Women’s Center physician if you have questions or concerns.

In general, these steps can help promote a healthy pregnancy:

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco, including secondhand smoke
• Eat a healthy and varied diet
• Take a quality prenatal vitamin
• Limit caffeine
• Get plenty of low-impact exercise
• Avoid exposure to toxins like cleaning chemicals and phthalates

When you’re ready to add to your family, the Gallatin Women’s Center team is ready to help. Schedule an appointment today to get started.