By Sharon Rose
Prenatal care is so important because it will help keep you and your baby healthy. Pregnant women need a village that starts with the team of prenatal care providers. With regular prenatal care women can reduce the risks of complications for themselves and their baby. Let’s look at some key birth statistics to bring that into reality.
Key Birth Statistics -
Data for United States in 2017:
Number of births: 3,855,500
Birth rate: 11.8 per 1,000 population
Fertility rate: 60.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years
Percent born low birthweight: 6.56%
Infant mortality per 1,000 live births: 5.8%
Premature births (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) 9.9%
Birth defects - affects 1 in every 33 babies born each year in the U.S.
Age of mothers giving birth - Birth rates decreased for females in age groups 15–39, and increased for females aged 40–44, from 2016 to 2017.
Considering the statistics, prenatal care is essential for the well being of mother and baby. It is the best protection mothers can give themselves for a safe, healthy, and happy pregnancy and delivery.
There are several criteria by which pregnancy wellness is based. Each one is important. They work together as partners would to ensure a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and a healthy baby. The criteria are medical care, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle.
Medical care is imperative during pregnancy. A doctor trained as an OB/GYN (Obstetrician/Gynecologist) is the best qualified health professional to determine how wellness is progressing with a pregnant woman and her unborn child. The OB/GYN is a doctor who specializes in healthcare for women in general, prenatal care, and delivery of the baby of a pregnant woman. The OB/GYN should be established at a hospital and have access to medical technology that enables him or her to identify complications, provide any needed care, and in some cases reverse adverse conditions that may lead to birth defects. It is important for the pregnant woman to follow the office visits schedule the doctor has planned. Scheduled prenatal care office visits should start as soon as the woman knows she is pregnant. The schedule I followed with my three pregnancies is still used today and is as follows:
1. The first 6 months of pregnancy, office visits are once a month.
2. During the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy, office visits are every 2 weeks.
3. During the 9th and final month of pregnancy, office visits are once a week until delivery.
Nutrition is vital for the wellness of mother and her unborn baby. The role of providing the pregnant woman with needed information on proper diet often falls to the OB/GYN. However, in some cases, if there are health problems involved in the pregnancy a professional dietician may be assigned to the pregnant woman. One of the first nutritional needs the pregnant woman is directed to add to her diet by the OB/GYN is the prenatal vitamin. Today, this is, mostly, made available over-the-counter instead of as a prescription. Prenatal vitamins do not, however, take the place of fresh healthy foods needed throughout the pregnancy, such as: green leafy vegetables, grains, fresh fruit, milk, and protein (meats, eggs). Your doctor should be able to provide you with information on the three balanced meals needed daily. In addition to your doctor’s information, you can also use the internet to research healthy diets for pregnant women. An OB/GYN or dietician can also give you information on weight gain, foods to avoid, and harmful Listeria. Listeria is bacteria that is found in soil and water that pregnant woman should be aware of. Animals can be carriers, and fruits and vegetables can become contaminated by Listeria also. Being a lover of the fruit, cantaloupe, I have never forgotten the summer of 2011, when there was a widespread outbreak of Listeria, monocytogenes food poisoning, which was the result of contaminated cantaloupes, across 28 U.S., states. The final report given in 2012, listed 33 deaths and 147 total confirmed cases since the beginning of the first recorded case of Listeria on July 31, 2011. Pregnant women are more susceptible to this than others and should ask their doctor for information on Listeria, a foodborne illness.
Exercise is helpful for the overall health of the pregnant woman. It helps in keeping a healthy heart, in defense of stress, and in keeping weight gain under control. Daily walking is one of the best exercises a pregnant woman can engage in. In recent years, Kegel exercises, also called pelvic floor exercises, have become popular among pregnant women. Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support the uterus, bladder, bowels, and vaginal wall. These exercises have been said to help ease a woman’s delivery. I do caution any woman who is pregnant to discuss your exercise program with your doctor before starting it.
Finally, a most important concern is Lifestyle. The pregnant woman’s lifestyle can affect her wellness, as well as, that of her unborn child. Research has shown that any use of alcohol, cigarettes, or the abuse of any drugs, whether it be, so called, “street drugs,” or prescription drugs, can cause birth defects and complications that can put the life of the pregnant woman and unborn child in jeopardy. There is no safe amount of these substances that a pregnant woman can take. When you are pregnant it is a good idea to become a label-reader to ensure you do not consume alcohol unknowingly, as some foods, that you are not aware of, may contain alcohol. A pregnant woman must always remember, whatever she takes in, her baby takes in. Although, there may be periods of not feeling well, a pregnant woman should continue to work, follow her usual routine, keep in contact with family and friends, and have a healthy socialization regimen.
The lifestyle of expectant parents should include Lamaze, birthing classes, in their plans to prepare for the birth of their baby. Lamaze classes teach controlled breathing exercises for the labor process and how parents can work together to bring their baby into the world. Your confidence will be lifted and many fears of just what will happen will be very much alleviated. Classes are scheduled for the third trimester, about the seventh month of pregnancy and last about 6 weeks. The good thing is, the cost of Lamaze classes are covered by most health insurances.
Parents should continue a vibrant social and career lifestyle. Keep in touch with family and friends, keep working outside the home, as long as you feel well enough and the environment is safe for you and the baby.
All of these criteria are standard for the wellness of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Caring for and loving a baby starts with prenatal care. Smile! You have a baby on the way!
Research Sources:
Reading Sources:
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, by Mayo Clinic, May, 2011.
Everything You Need to Know About Prenatal Care and Having a Healthy Pregnancy, by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD and S. Smith, October 31, 2008.
Learning Before Birth: Every Child Deserves Giftedness, by Brent Logan, December 3, 2003.
Online Reading Sources:
A New Life and Prenatal Care, article, by Sharon Rose https://parentswanttoknow101.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-life-and-prenatal-care.html?m=1
www.childbirthconnection.org
Copyright, Pregnancy and Prenatal Care, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, February 26, 2019. All rights reserved.
Medical care is imperative during pregnancy. A doctor trained as an OB/GYN (Obstetrician/Gynecologist) is the best qualified health professional to determine how wellness is progressing with a pregnant woman and her unborn child. The OB/GYN is a doctor who specializes in healthcare for women in general, prenatal care, and delivery of the baby of a pregnant woman. The OB/GYN should be established at a hospital and have access to medical technology that enables him or her to identify complications, provide any needed care, and in some cases reverse adverse conditions that may lead to birth defects. It is important for the pregnant woman to follow the office visits schedule the doctor has planned. Scheduled prenatal care office visits should start as soon as the woman knows she is pregnant. The schedule I followed with my three pregnancies is still used today and is as follows:
1. The first 6 months of pregnancy, office visits are once a month.
2. During the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy, office visits are every 2 weeks.
3. During the 9th and final month of pregnancy, office visits are once a week until delivery.
Nutrition is vital for the wellness of mother and her unborn baby. The role of providing the pregnant woman with needed information on proper diet often falls to the OB/GYN. However, in some cases, if there are health problems involved in the pregnancy a professional dietician may be assigned to the pregnant woman. One of the first nutritional needs the pregnant woman is directed to add to her diet by the OB/GYN is the prenatal vitamin. Today, this is, mostly, made available over-the-counter instead of as a prescription. Prenatal vitamins do not, however, take the place of fresh healthy foods needed throughout the pregnancy, such as: green leafy vegetables, grains, fresh fruit, milk, and protein (meats, eggs). Your doctor should be able to provide you with information on the three balanced meals needed daily. In addition to your doctor’s information, you can also use the internet to research healthy diets for pregnant women. An OB/GYN or dietician can also give you information on weight gain, foods to avoid, and harmful Listeria. Listeria is bacteria that is found in soil and water that pregnant woman should be aware of. Animals can be carriers, and fruits and vegetables can become contaminated by Listeria also. Being a lover of the fruit, cantaloupe, I have never forgotten the summer of 2011, when there was a widespread outbreak of Listeria, monocytogenes food poisoning, which was the result of contaminated cantaloupes, across 28 U.S., states. The final report given in 2012, listed 33 deaths and 147 total confirmed cases since the beginning of the first recorded case of Listeria on July 31, 2011. Pregnant women are more susceptible to this than others and should ask their doctor for information on Listeria, a foodborne illness.
Exercise is helpful for the overall health of the pregnant woman. It helps in keeping a healthy heart, in defense of stress, and in keeping weight gain under control. Daily walking is one of the best exercises a pregnant woman can engage in. In recent years, Kegel exercises, also called pelvic floor exercises, have become popular among pregnant women. Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support the uterus, bladder, bowels, and vaginal wall. These exercises have been said to help ease a woman’s delivery. I do caution any woman who is pregnant to discuss your exercise program with your doctor before starting it.
Finally, a most important concern is Lifestyle. The pregnant woman’s lifestyle can affect her wellness, as well as, that of her unborn child. Research has shown that any use of alcohol, cigarettes, or the abuse of any drugs, whether it be, so called, “street drugs,” or prescription drugs, can cause birth defects and complications that can put the life of the pregnant woman and unborn child in jeopardy. There is no safe amount of these substances that a pregnant woman can take. When you are pregnant it is a good idea to become a label-reader to ensure you do not consume alcohol unknowingly, as some foods, that you are not aware of, may contain alcohol. A pregnant woman must always remember, whatever she takes in, her baby takes in. Although, there may be periods of not feeling well, a pregnant woman should continue to work, follow her usual routine, keep in contact with family and friends, and have a healthy socialization regimen.
The lifestyle of expectant parents should include Lamaze, birthing classes, in their plans to prepare for the birth of their baby. Lamaze classes teach controlled breathing exercises for the labor process and how parents can work together to bring their baby into the world. Your confidence will be lifted and many fears of just what will happen will be very much alleviated. Classes are scheduled for the third trimester, about the seventh month of pregnancy and last about 6 weeks. The good thing is, the cost of Lamaze classes are covered by most health insurances.
Parents should continue a vibrant social and career lifestyle. Keep in touch with family and friends, keep working outside the home, as long as you feel well enough and the environment is safe for you and the baby.
All of these criteria are standard for the wellness of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Caring for and loving a baby starts with prenatal care. Smile! You have a baby on the way!
Research Sources:
Reading Sources:
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, by Mayo Clinic, May, 2011.
Everything You Need to Know About Prenatal Care and Having a Healthy Pregnancy, by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD and S. Smith, October 31, 2008.
Learning Before Birth: Every Child Deserves Giftedness, by Brent Logan, December 3, 2003.
Online Reading Sources:
A New Life and Prenatal Care, article, by Sharon Rose https://parentswanttoknow101.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-life-and-prenatal-care.html?m=1
www.childbirthconnection.org
Copyright, Pregnancy and Prenatal Care, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, February 26, 2019. All rights reserved.
Copyright, Pregnancy and Prenatal Care, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, February 26, 2019. All rights reserved.
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