Information about Pregnancy

Prior to modern medicine, many mothers and their babies did not survive pregnancy and the birth process. Today, good prenatal care can significantly improve the quality of the pregnancy and the outcome for the infant and mother.
Good prenatal care includes:
Good nutrition and health habits before and during pregnancy
Frequent prenatal examinations to detect early problems
Routine ultrasounds to detect fetal abnormalities and problems
Routine screening for:
Sexually transmitted diseases
Rubella immunity
Blood type problems (Rh and ABO)
Diabetes
Genetic disorders -- if a family history or the age of the mother presents a high risk
Blood pressure abnormalities
Urine protein
Women who choose to have an abortion usually do so in the very early stages of the pregnancy (usually before 12 weeks gestation). Abortion is legal through the 24th week of pregnancy. The abortion procedure, however, becomes more difficult with advancing gestational age, and many providers do not perform pregnancy terminations in the second trimester.
Women who plan to continue a pregnancy to term need to choose a health care provider who will provide prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. Provider choices in most communities include:
Physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs)
Certain family practice physicians
Certain family nurse practitioners (FNPs) or physician assistants (PAs) who work with a physician
Family health care providers, or generalists, can help manage women throughout normal pregnancies and deliveries. If there is a problem with the pregnancy, your doctor will refer you to specialist.
The goals of prenatal care are to:
Monitor both the mother and baby throughout the pregnancy
Look for changes that may lead to a high-risk pregnancy
Explain nutritional requirements throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period
Explain activity recommendations or restrictions
Address common complaints that may arise during pregnancy (for example, backache, joint pain, nausea, heartburn, headaches, urinary frequency, leg cramps, and constipation) and how to manage them, preferably without medications
Women who are considering becoming pregnant, or who are pregnant, should eat a balanced diet and take a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes at least 0.4 milligrams (400 micrograms) of folic acid. Folic acid is needed to decrease the risk of certain birth defects (such as spina bifida).
Pregnant women are advised to avoid all medications, unless the medications are necessary and recommended by a prenatal health care provider. Women should discuss all medication use with their providers.
Pregnant women should avoid all alcohol and drug use. They should not smoke. They should avoid herbal preparations and common over-the-counter medications that may interfere with normal development of the fetus.
Prenatal visits are typically scheduled:
Every 4 weeks during the first 32 weeks of gestation
Every 2 weeks from 32 to 36 weeks gestation
Weekly from 36 weeks to delivery
Weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and fetal heart beats (as appropriate) are usually measured and recorded at each visit, and routine urine screening tests are performed.