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: 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. Wesley Medical Center
Proper prenatal care can set up you—and your fetus—for a successful start to life. During pregnancy, your friends and family are by your side—and so is your obstetrician. Plan to visit your obstetrician once or twice a month for the first eight months, and then every week for the final month. At these checkups, your doctor will monitor your health closely. Common underlying health problems can include hypertension and diabetes, which not only put your health at risk, but can also restrict blood flow to the placenta, thereby endangering the fetus.