Nowadays, we still come across women who believe that prenatal exams are not necessary at all and who also skip prenatal appointments, and this can be a bit alarming for us moms who are fully aware of how important this follow-up is during pregnancy.
Prenatal exams are essential to understand not only the health of the mother, who is carrying a new life, but also the baby’s, which helps ensure not just a peaceful pregnancy but also a trouble-free delivery.
First Requests from the Obstetrician
At the first appointment after finding out you are pregnant, your gynecologist will order the first prenatal tests, including blood and urine tests. These are done initially to confirm the pregnancy through the amount of beta HCG in the blood, and based on the result, they will estimate how far along the pregnancy is, which should be confirmed by other tests, together with the information the mother gives about the date of her last period.
Explanatory Video
Main Requested Exams
Most of the requested prenatal exams are done through collecting the pregnant woman’s blood and the main factors for a healthy pregnancy and healthier baby development are evaluated.
If a result comes back abnormal, the obstetrician will start the proper treatment to restore the situation or at least control it until the baby is born. Basic Prenatal Exams
The prenatal exams that are always ordered at the beginning of pregnancy are:
Complete Blood Count: This exam should be done by all pregnant women, preferably monthly or as often as your obstetrician finds necessary. It serves to detect anemia and infections the mother may have so they can be treated as quickly as possible.
HIV: This is one of the prenatal exams that is always performed at the beginning of pregnancy, and it requires the woman’s consent. It detects the presence of the HIV virus, which causes AIDS. Remember that mothers with HIV must have specialized follow-up and extra care to prevent transmission to the baby.
Rubella Serology: A very important prenatal test to detect immunity to the rubella virus. Rubella acquired during pregnancy can bring serious risks to the baby’s development.
Toxoplasmosis Reaction: Another extremely important test, as toxoplasmosis diagnosed during pregnancy can lead to serious harm to the baby, affecting nerves and vision. Many women discover they have had the illness before after this test and that they are immune to it.
VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory): This prenatal exam detects the presence of venereal diseases, such as syphilis. The sooner these bacteria are detected, the better the treatment outcome, since these bacteria can cause miscarriage, birth defects and premature birth.
Hepatitis B and C Serology: This test detects the presence of hepatitis viruses, both type B and C. If the virus is detected in the blood, the pregnant woman should see a hepatologist, who will prescribe the most suitable treatment to avoid infecting the baby during delivery.
Glycemia: This prenatal exam is performed both at the beginning of pregnancy and around the 26th week. It identifies glucose intolerance and gestational diabetes. When high blood sugar is diagnosed early, it is possible to prevent serious health risks for mother and baby.
Urine: This exam detects urinary tract infections and can help monitor pregnant women with high blood pressure, identifying the presence of proteins. It is especially important to follow up on diabetic pregnant women and help prevent possible pre-eclampsia.
Stool: This exam detects the presence of intestinal parasites. It should be performed over three days for a correct diagnosis.
Ultrasound: This exam, so eagerly awaited by moms, should be performed at least three times during pregnancy: in the first trimester to confirm gestational age more accurately, in the second trimester when the baby is fully formed including the genitals, and in the third to monitor the baby’s growth, amniotic fluid levels and placenta grade.
Obviously these are prenatal exams that are requested and performed for all pregnant women. If it is a high-risk pregnancy or a problem is detected in one of the tests, the doctor may request additional tests or repeat them as often as needed.
Step-by-Step Prenatal Care
Prenatal appointments should happen monthly until the 7th month of pregnancy, and then every two weeks until the 36th week, and then weekly until the day the baby is born.
From the first appointment, you will receive a booklet where all mother’s information during the 9 months will be noted and at every appointment blood pressure measurement, mother’s weight, uterine height are taken and the baby’s heartbeat is also listened to and recorded.
All the exams requested by the doctor during the appointments must be done responsibly and turned in at the next visit for evaluation and, if necessary, the indicated treatment should be started.
Vitamins
The doctor will prescribe multivitamins which will help the baby’s development and also with the mother’s iron deficiency if she is not able to eat properly, especially at the beginning of pregnancy.
Some health centers offer preparation courses for future mothers, teaching how to care for the baby, explaining about childbirth and also talking about the importance of breastfeeding. These courses are very helpful for the preparation and awareness of moms, especially first-time mothers.
Prenatal exams and appointments during pregnancy are extremely important for the monitoring and assessment of both the mother’s and the baby’s health. With appropriate care, many complications can be avoided during and after pregnancy as well as at birth, in addition to preserving the health of both; for this reason, every woman who suspects she is pregnant should immediately look for a gynecologist.
See also: First Pregnancy – Initial Exams and Procedures
Photo: World Bank Photo Collect
