Pregnancy

With all the advances in medical technology, taking care of yourself during your pregnancy has never been easier. Regular visits to a doctor during a pregnancy can help keep both baby and mother healthy.

As your pregnancy progresses, you can expect to visit your doctor for the following purposes:

  • A pelvic exam. This will allow your doctor to examine your uterus, and run a Pap test to make sure you are healthy.
  • Checkups. Typically, pregnant mothers visit their physicians approximately once a month for the early part of the pregnancy. After about 6 months, the doctor will want to visit you more frequently, and up to once a week in the final month.
  • Prenatal tests and exams. This includes ultrasounds, amniocentesis, urine tests, blood pressure and weight measurements, as well as a check on the baby’s heart rate. These tests will help ensure your pregnancy is developing normally, and will help create benchmarks for reference throughout the pregnancy.

Nutrition and exercise are also important factors in a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor can help you with any questions you might have and can lay out a plan to keep both you and your baby fit.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. Pregnant women over 35 are often considered at higher risk for complications during pregnancy and delivery. Often, doctors will monitor these women much more closely.
  2. Aside from morning sickness, pregnancy can cause many other uncomfortable side effects, including leg cramps, hemorrhoids, dizziness and sore breasts. Although many of these effects are not severe, any out-of-the-ordinary or severe instances should be reported to your physician.
  3. Many foods and day-to-day products can be harmful during pregnancy. These include smoking, alcohol, having x-rays, working with paint or chemicals, consuming fish that may contain high amounts of mercury, and even taking very hot baths.
  4. Although everyone is different, in the average pregnancy, a woman will gain between 25 and 30 pounds. More than this can cause health problems for the mother after the baby is born, and less can be harmful to fetal development.
  5. Perinatal depression (before the baby is born) and postpartum depression (after the baby is born) are considered some of the most severe side effects of pregnancy. Although hormones fluctuate throughout, if you’re experiencing symptoms of pregnancy-associated depression, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

3 Questions to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the milestones of a healthy pregnancy? Every expecting mother is different – your doctor can give you an outline of what you will be experiencing during your pregnancy.
  2. How often should I visit? Setting up a regular visiting schedule is the best way to track your baby’s progress, and keep an eye on your own health as well.
  3. What happens after the baby’s born? Regular checkups are just as important after the baby is born. Finding a reliable pediatrician is vital for every new parent.

Also Known As: With child, expecting

Your health is too important to take lightly. The information on this website is intended to start you down the path to living well, but it’s only just the beginning.

Each of us is unique, and we all deserve the individual attention that only a health care professional can provide. So do what’s in your best interest - take the next step and find doctors or surgeons in your area today.