Prenatal care
Prenatal care, or antenatal care, is the healthcare provided to pregnant women before delivery. Prenatal check ups are crucial for monitoring maternal and fetal health to help prevent, minimize and manage any complications that may arise to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
Here is what you can expect at your antenatal visits at Eden Women’s Health:
Antenatal visits, also known as prenatal visits, are essential for monitoring the health of both the pregnant individual and the developing baby. Here’s what you can generally expect during these appointments:
- Initial Consultation: The first visit usually involves a thorough medical history review, discussion of lifestyle, and any previous pregnancies.
- Physical Examinations: Your doctor will perform routine physical exams, including measuring your weight and blood pressure.
- Laboratory Tests: Blood and urine tests are conducted to check for conditions such as anaemia, infections, and blood type. Screening for chromosomal disorders (around 11 to 13 weeks) and gestational diabetes (around 24 to 28 weeks).
- Ultrasounds: Typically, an ultrasound is conducted around 7-10 weeks to confirm the pregnancy and determine the due date, and again around 20 weeks for a detailed anatomy scan.
- Monitoring the Baby’s Heartbeat: Listening to the foetal heartbeat is often done during visits to monitor the baby’s health.
- Assessing Foetal Growth: Your healthcare provider will measure your abdomen and possibly perform additional ultrasounds to ensure the baby is growing properly.
- Discussion of Symptoms: You can discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as nausea, fatigue, or discomfort.
- Health Education: Expect discussions about nutrition, exercise, and what to expect during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum.
- Planning for Labor and Delivery: As you progress, discussions about your birth plan, pain management options, and signs of labour will be held.
- Frequency of Visits: Visits are typically biweekly to monthly from the first trimester until 28 weeks, biweekly from 35 weeks, and then weekly from 37 weeks until delivery.
It’s important to communicate openly with your healthcare provider during these visits and ask any questions you may have.
First Trimester (0-12 weeks):
In these crucial initial weeks, we focus on confirming the pregnancy and ensuring your overall health is optimal. Your first prenatal visit, typically scheduled between 6-8 weeks, includes thorough assessments such as ultrasound scans and blood tests. These initial steps help us establish a baseline and identify any potential risks or concerns early on. Throughout the first trimester, we continue to monitor your progress with monthly visits*, providing essential care including:
- Dating ultrasound scan: Determining the gestational age and estimated due date.
- Antenatal bloods: Assessing your blood type, iron levels, and screening for any infections.
- Down syndrome screening: Offering non-invasive tests to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
- Flu vaccine: Providing essential protection against influenza to safeguard both you and your baby.
- Nutrition counselling: Offering guidance on maintaining a healthy diet to support optimal foetal development.
*High-risk pregnancies, such as those involving multiple foetuses or pre-existing conditions like lupus, may require additional prenatal check-ups at a higher frequency.
Second Trimester (13-27 weeks):
As you enter the second trimester, we focus on further monitoring your baby’s growth and development with monthly visits* while continuing to support your well-being. Key components of prenatal care during this stage include:
- Reviewing screening tests: Discussing the results of previous screenings and addressing any concerns.
- Structural screening ultrasound scan: Performing a detailed examination to assess the baby’s anatomy and detect any potential abnormalities.
- Whooping cough vaccine: Administering this vaccine to protect your baby from pertussis (whooping cough).
- Gestational diabetes test: Screening for gestational diabetes to ensure timely management if detected.
- Full blood count: Monitoring your blood cell levels to detect any signs of anaemia or other blood-related issues.
*High-risk pregnancies, such as those involving multiple foetuses or pre-existing conditions like lupus, may require additional prenatal check-ups at a higher frequency.
Third Trimester (28-40 weeks):
As the journey nears its conclusion, our focus shifts towards preparing for childbirth and ensuring a smooth transition into motherhood. The frequency of check ups will increase to once every 2 weeks from the 28th to 36th week and once every week from the 36th to 40th week.*
During the third trimester, we provide comprehensive care, including:
- Discussing birth plan: Collaborating with you to create a personalised birth plan that aligns with your preferences and medical needs.
- Building a support system: Working with you to plan for a support system after childbirth, including discussing roles and responsibilities of each individual involved, to prepare for the emotionally and physically challenging weeks after delivery
- Rhesus antibodies/antid: Screening for Rhesus factor incompatibility and providing appropriate interventions if necessary.
- Growth ultrasound scan: Monitoring the baby’s growth and position in preparation for delivery.
- GBS screening: Testing for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) to prevent transmission to the baby during childbirth.
- Vaginal assessment: Assessing the cervix and vaginal area to monitor for signs of impending labour or other concerns.
*High-risk pregnancies, such as those involving multiple foetuses or pre-existing conditions like lupus, may require additional prenatal check-ups at a higher frequency.
Postnatal Care Services Our Clinic Provides:
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At Eden Women’s Health, we understand the importance of comprehensive prenatal care in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a positive birthing experience. Our dedicated team of obstetricians and healthcare professionals is here to support you every step of the way, providing personalised care tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Schedule your prenatal appointment today and let us guide you on this extraordinary journey towards motherhood.
*High-risk pregnancies, such as those involving multiple fetuses or pre-existing conditions like lupus, may require additional prenatal check-ups at a higher frequency.