Prenatal Care During Pregnancy

You'll have consultations, checkups, and tests throughout your pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are doing fine. Most pregnancies are perfectly normal, but it's vital to have these checkups to make sure all is well and to spot possible problems early, before any harm is done.

The Prenatal Clinic

Your prenatal checkups may be at your doctor's office, your local clinic, or the hospital. You'll probably have a "check-in" appointment at 11 or 12 weeks or so, and you can expect about 10 further visits if it's your first pregnancy and about seven if it's not. The exact number and timing of prenatal checkups varies from area to area. If you have any complications, such as a multiple birth, a medical condition you had before you became pregnant, or you're at risk for some other reason, you'll have checkups more frequently.

Most prenatal care is now handled locally, so appointments are much less stressful than when most women had to go to hospital clinics. There's a more relaxed atmosphere, and if you do need to a hospital clinic, you'll probably find it less crowded than it used to be.

There'll be times, though, when you have to wait around, especially if you're having an ultrasound scan or a blood test. Take something to read or to do while you're there, and take some food and something to drink with you in case you have a long wait but don't want to risk going out for a snack and missing your appointment. Ask your partner to go with you if he can. If you have other children, it's best to ask someone to take care of them if possible, rather than take them with you.

The clinic can be a good place to start making friends with other expectant mothers, so chat with whoever's there.

Talking To Your Caregivers

Midwives at a hospital-based prenatal clinic may find it hard to find time to talk to you as much as you'd like. Community clinics should be more relaxed, and you'll be able to find out what alternatives are open to you, talk about your preferences, and get reassurance about any worries and fears. If you feel that you're being hurried through your appointment, ask your midwife for some more time. Don't let yourself be intimidated, but do bear in mind that many women feel very emotional and weepy when pregnant, so you may cry much more easily than usual in any stressful situation. If you have strong preferences, but worry that you won't be able to stand up for yourself, take your partner along, for moral support. It'll help to make a list of points you want to talk about beforehand and go over them together.

Understanding Your Records

When you go to your first prenatal visit, you will be given a card with your due date, prenatal labs, and a visit summary (vital signs, weight, urine dipstick). Bring the card to all your visits so that your doctor or midwife can update it. Be sure to carry the card with you at all times, in case of an emergency. Your medical records will be copied by your doctor and sent directly to the hospital or birthing center so they are there when you arrive.

Your records may be difficult to understand because many of the medical terms are abbreviated. Compare the abbreviations on your records with those listed below. If your records still don't make sense, ask your midwife or doctor to explain.

Carry your records at all times, and remember to take them with you to the hospital when you go into labor.