For all Women, when you're pregnant, taking care of yourself has never been more important. I know you'll probably get advice from everyone — your doctor, family members, friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers — about what you should you do and shouldn't be doing.
But to stay healthy during pregnancy depends on you, and it's crucial to arm yourself with information about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. Key to protected the health of your child in your womb is to get regular prenatal check up. If you think you're pregnant, call your health care or OB gynecologist provider to schedule an appointment. You should schedule your first examination as soon as you think you maybe pregnant.
At this first visit, your health care provider will probably do a pregnancy test, and will figure out how many weeks pregnant you are based on a physical examination and the date of your last period. The doctor will also use this information to predict your delivery date-an ultrasound done sometime later in your pregnancy will help to verify that date.
And probably most health care providers will advise you to be back:
every 4 weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy
then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks
then once a week until delivery
Throughout your pregnancy, your health care provider will check your weight and blood pressure while also checking the growth and development of your baby (by doing things like feeling your abdomen, listening for the fetal heartbeat starting during the second trimester, and measuring your belly). During the span of your pregnancy, you'll also have prenatal tests, including blood, urine, and cervical tests, and probably at least one ultrasound.
When choosing a health care provider to counsel and treat you during your pregnancy, your options include:
obstetricians/gynecologists (also known as OB/GYNs): doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as women's health care).
These is a good choice if you're healthy and there's no reason to anticipate complications with your pregnancy and delivery. However, nurse-midwives do need to have a doctor available for the delivery in case an unexpected problem arises or a cesarean section (C-section) is required.
