Your Prenatal Care
Ideally, your prenatal care should begin before you even become pregnant. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 4 million American women give birth each year. Nearly one-third of them will experience some type of pregnancy-related complication. Women who do not seek adequate prenatal care increase their risk for complications that may go undetected or are not dealt with soon enough. This can lead to serious consequences for the mother and/or baby. It's never too early to start prenatal care.
Your doctor can do a thorough physical exam and can explain how pregnancy might affect you as an individual. Your doctor can address any current health issues you may have and discuss with you how it may affect your pregnancy. She can review any medications you are taking and make any changes necessary. She can also make sure you are up to date on immunizations, test you for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and measure your immunity to certain childhood diseases such as chicken pox and rubella. It is a smart idea to have these tests done before you get pregnant to make sure you are in good health. Your prenatal check up is also your chance to ask any questions you may have.
If you follow a strict vegetarian diet or participate in strenuous exercise such as long-distance running, your levels of key nutrients and hormones may be affected. Prescription medications, weight-loss diets, anemia, and other health issues also affect these levels, so you should talk to your doctor before trying to get pregnant.
Choosing a Health-Care Provider
Choosing your health-care provider-and the hospital where you'll have your baby-can be one of the most important decisions you make for you and your baby. Women who are planning to become pregnant are typically cared for by either a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN), a family practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife (CNM). Your health-care provider might be your current OB/GYN or family doctor (if he specializes in obstetrics), or you may want to take this chance to switch doctors if you are not completely comfortable with your present one. Choose a healthcare professional who is caring enough to spend a few extra minutes with you to talk about preconception care. The recommendation of family members, friends, and insurance companies can be helpful as well.