Title: Why is prenatal care important? | Health & Pregnancy - Sharecare
Headings: Why is prenatal care important?
Why is prenatal care important?
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Content: At the first visit, you should ask questions and discuss any issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to stay healthy. Later prenatal visits will probably be shorter. Your doctor will check on your health and make sure the baby is growing as expected. Most prenatal visits will include: Checking your blood pressure
Measuring your weight gain
Measuring your abdomen to check your baby's growth (once you begin to show)
Checking the baby's heart rate
While you're pregnant, you also will have some routine tests. Some tests are suggested for all women, such as blood work to check for anemia, your blood type, HIV and other factors. Other tests might be offered based on your age, personal or family health history, your ethnic background or the results of routine tests you have had. Visit the Healthy Pregnancy section of our web site for more details on prenatal care and tests. This answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information Center.