(This article by Emily Hoger, Certified Nurse Midwife at Keystone Women’s Care, first appeared in the Public Opinion Newspaper on October 25, 2013. Click here to read it on www.publicopiniononline.com.)
Seeing a plus sign on that home pregnancy test and wondering what happens next? Getting proper prenatal care can set the stage for baby’s health and wellness for years to come. Issues that could cause problems with your pregnancy can often be averted if early prenatal care is established. Here’ s a pregnancy primer with helpful information about what will happen over the next important nine months before baby makes his or her grand entrance.
Find a health care provider
After getting a positive pregnancy test, the first step is to make an appointment with a health care provider such as an obstetrician or certified nurse midwife. Typically the first visit is around the eighth week of pregnancy – right after getting a positive result in a home pregnancy test. The first visits will be once every month with visits increasing to twice per month around the 28th week of pregnancy. At 36 weeks, visits jump to every week to monitor baby and mom’s progress. Baby is full term at 37 weeks and studies show delivering after 39 weeks has beneficial effects for baby.
During some visits, ultrasound technology is used. This usually happens at the first visit to confirm the pregnancy and at week 20 to check baby’s anatomy. Other ultrasounds may be needed in the event of complications or medical conditions. A pap smear and full physical exam is typically done in early pregnancy and lab work is ordered to check blood count, blood type, and testing for communicable diseases. At 28 weeks along, a 1 hour glucose tolerance test will be ordered to check blood sugar levels and at 36 weeks, a group beta streptococcus test is ordered to determine if mom will need antibiotics during labor. These tests are all recommended. Optional testing can include genetic testing and first or second trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities with baby.
Other things to consider
During pregnancy it’s important to consider what you eat and how it can affect pregnancy. Typically uncooked or unpasteurized food is not recommended including unpasteurized dairy (like soft Mexican cheeses or Brie) or juices, uncooked meat or eggs, and sushi or other uncooked fish. These foods may contain toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, or other bacteria that can be harmful. Pregnant women should avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, orange roughy, and tuna steaks. Always cook food until steaming. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs during pregnancy. When it comes to caffeine, recent studies say 2 cups of caffeine daily is safe during pregnancy. It is advisable to ask your health care provider about any medications you are taking if you are pregnant. Safe over-the-counter medications in pregnancy include Benadryl, Claritin, Tylenol, and Tums but be sure to follow dosing instructions. Avoid Motrin (ibuprofen) and aspirin. It is advised for all women to take an over-the-counter prenatal vitamin starting at conception and at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily during pregnancy is recommended.
When to call your health care provider
In early pregnancy, you should call your health care provider or go to the ER if you experience bleeding or severe pain. Later in pregnancy it’s important to notify your provider if you are experiencing abdominal or back pain, bleeding, not feeling your baby move as much as recommended, vaginal discharge, leaking of fluid or feelings of intense sadness. These symptoms can signal something more serious and need to be evaluated by a health care professional immediately.
Emily Hoger is a certified nurse midwife at Keystone Women’s Care located at the Cochran Professional Center at 830 Fifth Avenue in Chambersburg. Visit www.keystonewomenscare.org for more information.
