Caring for yourself during prenancy is the best thing you can do for your unborn child.. The health of the mother should be of utmost concern. When you care for the mother you care for the baby.

What is prenatal care?
When you are pregnant

its important that you take care of yourself more than any other time before.
Things you may have not thought of before such as what you eat may become an issue. Some foods (not to mention drugs) are best avoided while some foods are very important in your diet.

Even before you become pregnant you may want to start thinking about eating healthy balanced diet to build up folate and iron stores in particular. These can be found naturally in some foods or in supplements (foods or tablets). Starting your pregnancy in a healthy way will benefit you and your baby.

Why is it important?
Your unborn baby relies on you  for nourishment and growth. If you are not taking care of yourself you may feel the ill effects such as excessive weight gain, lethargy and aches. Taking time to rest, exercise and eat well will help make your pregnancy more enjoyable.

Modes of care.
When most people think about prenatal care they think of medical care. You should be able to choose who you see during your pregnancy. What suits your sister or friend may not suit you.

Obstetrics is more for complicated pregnancies and births. Most obstetricians specialise in this and generally do not know much about natural birth.

Midwives usually know more natural birth and may help you with more options regarding your care. An independant midwife may even be more helpful.

http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/25PrenatalCare.cfm

http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/womeninfants/prenatal.htm

http://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/article_view/article_id/2988

http://childbirth.amuchbetterway.com/war-against-maternal-newborn-and-child/