Title: Pregnancy Care: Overview, Prenatal & Postnatal Care
Headings: Pregnancy Care
Pregnancy Care
Overview
Prenatal Care
During Pregnancy
Postpartum Care
Getting Enough Rest
Eating Right
Vaginal Care
The Takeaway

Content: A schedule of visits may involve seeing your doctor: every month in the first six months you are pregnant
every two weeks in the seventh and eighth months you are pregnant
every week during your ninth month of pregnancy
During these visits, your doctor will check your health and the health of your baby. Visits may include: taking routine tests and screenings, such as a blood test to check for anemia, HIV, and your blood type
monitoring your blood pressure
measuring your weight gain
monitoring the baby’s growth and heart rate
talking about special diet and exercise
Later visits may also include checking the baby’s position and noting changes in your body as you prepare for birth. Your doctor may also offer special classes at different stages of your pregnancy. These classes will: discuss what to expect when you are pregnant
prepare you for the birth
teach you basic skills for caring for your baby
If your pregnancy is considered high risk because of your age or health conditions, you may require more frequent visits and special care. You may also need to see a doctor who works with high-risk pregnancies. Postpartum Care
While most attention to pregnancy care focuses on the nine months of pregnancy, postpartum care is important, too. The postpartum period lasts six to eight weeks, beginning right after the baby is born.