Title: Prenatal Care | Pregnancy Guide
Headings: 
Prenatal Care
The Aims of Prenatal Care
What are the benefits of prenatal care?
What does physical prenatal care consist of?
When are prenatal appointments arranged?
When can I hear my baby’s first heartbeat?
Choosing a prenatal care doctor or midwife
Other types of prenatal care providers include:
What questions should I be asking my doctor or midwife?
When to call my doctor or midwife

Content: One of the many benefits of prenatal care is that women are introduced to taking vitamins such as folic acid which aids in protecting against spina bifida, a neural tube deficiency. Many women attending prenatal care are given the opportunity to ask questions and nullify any misconceptions about pregnancy that they may have. What does physical prenatal care consist of? The physical examination part of prenatal care normally consists of the following: An analysis of the mother’s medical history to establish any potential problems
Monitoring of blood pressure
Checking the height and weight of the mother
Pelvic examination
Blood and urine tests
Discussion with the mother regarding the pregnancy
When are prenatal appointments arranged? Prenatal care appointments are arranged before conception and after becoming pregnant. A pregnant woman will normally have their prenatal appointments on a monthly basis during the first two trimesters of their pregnancy. Once a pregnant mother has reached 28 weeks they may only have prenatal appointments every fortnight. In the last trimester, prenatal appointments are increased to once every week. When can I hear my baby’s first heartbeat?