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The Importance of Prenatal Care
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 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.
In my first pregnancy I was referred to the women's hospital and saw a midwife at most appointments and occassionally an obstretrician.
In my second pregnancy I chose to have shared care. This is where I could see my GP for some appointments and I had tests at my local hospital and went to the women's hospital for major tests.
I wanted a more natural approach in my third pregnancy and I booked into the birth centre. Unfortunately I had problems with iron levels and was not able to birth there.
Saddened after that experience I started to educate myself about my options for when I became pregnant again. I decided I wanted to choose which tests I needed and to have limited medical care. I found the more I trusted myself and took care of myself during my last pregnancy the more I actually enjoyed it. I never thought it possible! I basically had an unassisted pregnancy apart from a GP appointment towards the end. I only put on 8kg whereas in my previous pregnancies I put on 13kg average. My baby was my healthiest at 4.2kg. (My others were healthy also at 3.75-4kg)
An unassisted pregnancy is not no prenatal care. Caring for yourself is what its all about. Though a medical professional may educate you as a pregnant woman they can't force you to eat well exercise and take care of yourself. Whatever prenatal care you choose or have its up to you to care for yourself and your unborn baby. Take responsibilty and I trust your pregnancy will go well.
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/
(October 2008) (
