Getting on the right track
Every family wants a healthy baby. The single most important step you can take to ensure that outcome is to get into prenatal care the moment you suspect you may be pregnant. By the time you are four weeks pregnant, you should have established your connection with a trained childbirth health provider, usually an obstetrician, a family practice physician, a nurse practitioner or a certified nurse-midwife. It is clear that women who start prenatal visits during the first three months of pregnancy have fewer problems with their pregnancies, better childbirth experiences--and they have healthier babies.

The first visit
During your first prenatal visit, you will be given  a pregnancy test to confirm you are pregnant. Your provider will take a medical and family history to reveal possible hereditary problems affecting either you or your partner. Some hereditary conditions, such as RH-negative blood type, may need special attention. Your current medical condition will be evaluated. If you take medications, they may need to be adjusted.

Your provider will help establish your due date. If you know the date of the last normal menstrual period, your estimated due date can be quite accurate; most women deliver within two weeks of their estimated date of delivery.

Usually, a number of lab tests will be ordered. Blood is drawn to test for anemia, diabetes, blood type and STDs. A PAP smear will be done, as will tests for other types of infections. All these tests help your provider chart a healthy course for you and your baby.

The next nine months: Regular care ensures healthy outcomes
Your provider will want to see you throughout your pregnancy to check up on your health and your child’s development. She or he will check on your feelings of well-being and confidence. Pregnancy is often a time of roller-coaster emotions and vague fears. It is very common, so lean on your provider for help. They won’t think it’s silly.

Use this the time to ask questions. Many childbirth providers recommend that new parents take educational classes. It makes sense that your provider is interested in making sure that you have all the information you need to have a great childbirth experience and to prepare you to be the best parent you can be. For instance, they want you to understand the challenges of breastfeeding--because it is the healthiest way to feed your newborn. They want you to understand how to “baby-proof” your home, so that once the baby is born, you have the confidence you need to relax and enjoy the experience.

During this time, you may have an ultrasound procedure. This can help confirm your due date and establish that your baby is developing properly. It will be your first chance to see your baby. If you wish to know, they may be able to tell you if you’ll be having a boy or a girl.

Why do women wait?
With so much research establishing the importance of early and regular prenatal care, you’d think every woman would get care at the first sign of pregnancy. Not so. Approximately 20% of women do not get into care before they are 12 weeks pregnant. Why?

1. Sometimes they do not know they are pregnant. Most people know that missing a menstrual period is likely to mean a baby is on the way. Unfortunately, some women have irregular periods and so they remain unaware of their new condition. You can be alerted by the other common symptoms of pregnancy: the nausea of morning sickness, which can happen at any time of day, may be noticed or tender, swollen breasts often accompany pregnancy as a whole new hormone stew gets cooking. However, the only reliable method of determining if you are pregnant is a pregnancy test. If you suspect you might be pregnant, you can have a confidential (and often free) pregnancy test at your local health center, a local Family Planning office or at the Public Health Department.
2. They may fear the costs of regular prenatal care. If you have health insurance, your policy will go far in offsetting these costs. If you do not have health insurance, there are numerous public assistance programs to pay for your prenatal care. If lack of money is preventing you from seeing healthcare provider, contact your local health center or Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Program office.
3. They may fear that the important people in their lives will not welcome their pregnancy. If this is true for you, please get into care immediately. Your childbirth provider will be a strong support as you face the challenges of pregnancy. Your provider can connect you to other women who share a similar due date so that you can create your own circles of friendship with others who will welcome your pregnancy and your baby.
   

The facts: Early prenatal care is crucial to health
Babies born to mothers who did not receive early and regular prenatal care are approximately three times more likely to have a low birth weight. Low birth weight often relates to other health problems for your child. Some of these could last a lifetime. So, if you know someone who is getting ready to welcome a new baby, urge her to make an appointment with a qualified and caring provider. It will be a great first step to having a healthy baby.

Care for Her, a women’s health center operated by Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc., has made this information available in observance of National Women’s Health Month 2006. For more information about women’s health, contact Care for Her at 468-1010.