Title: Prenatal care in the United States - Wikipedia
Headings: Prenatal care in the United States
Prenatal care in the United States
Contents
Background
Schedule
Pre-conception counseling
Vaccination
Influenza vaccination
Rubella
Varicella
Tetanus and pertussis
Attitudes towards prenatal care
Positive influences
Negative influences
Disparities in accessibility
Low-socioeconomic areas
Minorities' access
Latina paradox
Contributing factors
Unintended pregnancy
Health insurance
Formal education
Consequences from lack of prenatal care
Delivery complications
Low birth weight
Congenital malformations
Infant mortality
Improving prenatal care
Preventing unintended pregnancy
Connection between physicians and patients
Increase insurance
Community outreach programs
See also
References

Content: Subsequent appointments consist of various tests ranging from blood pressure to glucose levels to check on the health of the mother and fetus. If not, appropriate treatment will then be provided to hinder any further complications. Prenatal care in the United States started as a preventive measure against preeclampsia, which included program visits during which medical professionals conducted physical, history, and risk evaluations. Over the last century, prenatal care has shifted focus to low birth weight and other preventive conditions in order to decrease the rate of infant mortality. Increased use of prenatal care was found to decrease the rates of birth-weight-related mortality and other preventable medical ailments such as post-partum depression and infant injuries. The United States has socioeconomic disparities that prevent the equal adoption of prenatal care throughout the country. Various levels of prenatal care accessibility can be observed in both developing and developed countries such as the U.S. Although women can benefit from taking advantage of prenatal care, there exists varying degrees of health care accessibility between different demographics, by ethnicity, race, and income-level, throughout the United States. Education level can also influence the utilization and accessibility of prenatal care. Nearly one-fifth of women in the United States do not access prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy. The prenatal health care system, along with personal attitudes all contribute to the utilization and accessibility of prenatal care.