Prenatal Care

Prenatal care
• Steps to take provide health for mother and
her baby
• First decision: find the right obstetrician
• Second: where you plan on delivering your
baby (birthing center, hospital, home with
midwife).
• Planning of prenatal visits: physical to monitor
weight & BP, ultrasounds, etc.
 Proper Nutrition
• Increased amounts of these nutrients:
Calcium: help builds strong bones & teeth, healthy
nerves & muscles, and developing heart rhythm.
Protein: helps form muscle and tissues
Iron: red blood cells and oxygen to cells.
Vitamin A: aids in cell and bone growth, and eye
development
Vitamin B: forms nervous system
One more important…
 Folic Acid (Folate)
• Folic Acid: spinal fluid and helps close tube
that contains CNS (about 17-30 days after
conception). Most neural tube birth defects
occur before female is aware.
Recommended that women consume at
least 400-600 micrograms daily.
 Caffeine /Diets

• Caffeine present in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola,

etc. can affect fetus.
• High intake has been linked to increased risk
of birth defects and low birth weight.
• Weight-reduction diets during pregnancy can
also harm fetus.
 Dangerous Substances
• Tobacco: estimated 30% of low-birth-weight
babies, premature births or infant deaths
accounted for due to pregnant smoker. Also
believed to affect growth, mental and
behavior development.
• Alcohol: Causes fetal alcohol syndrome. It can
cause mental retardation, learning disabilities,
behavior problems, and physical defects.
Alcohol passes
 Drugs
• Obviously, NO illegal Drugs.
• Medications or herbal supplements: even
OTCs need to be carefully assessed and gotten
approval from medical doctor or pharmacist
 Environmental Hazards
• Lead: linked to miscarriages, low birth weight,
mental disabilities, and behavior problem. Be
careful of childhood toys.
• Smog: air pollution linked to birth defects,
premature birth, stillbirth, LBW, and infant death.
• Radiation: X-rays can affect fetal growth and
cause mental retardation.
• Cat Litter: cat feces may contain parasites that
cause toxoplasmosis. Can result in miscarriage,
premature birth, and health problems of
newborn.
 Complications
• Miscarriage: spontaneous expulsion of fetus
before the 20th week.
• Stillbirth: dead fetus expelled after 20th week.
• Ectopic pregnancy: zygote implants anywhere
other than uterus. Main cause of death of
pregnant women in first trimester.
• Preeclampsia (toxemia): prevents placenta from
getting enough blood. Symptoms: HBP, swelling,
and protein in urine. Treatment: meds and bed
rest
Prenatal Care