Even if this isn’t your first time having a baby, prenatal care is necessary for new moms, as it provides them an opportunity to learn, grow, and protect themselves and their babies. By having a team of doctors supporting you in the coming months, you can make informed decisions as a parent and start getting to know your baby’s needs as early as possible.
Provides Checkups for the Baby
One of the key purposes of prenatal care visits is conducting tests to ensure the health of you and your baby.
DHA helps with growth and development. The March of Dimes recommends DHA to help your baby’s brain and eyes develop. Not all prenatal vitamins contain DHA, so ask your doctor if you need to take an additional supplement to ensure you are getting everything that you and your growing baby need.
By performing blood tests and checking for infections and immunities, your OB/GYN can help you make the most informed decisions possible. Screenings are also common during prenatal visits to give you and your care team insight into potential fetal abnormalities, which in turn gives parents more time to adjust their lifestyles and prepare for children with differences.
Addresses Concerns as They Arise
By regularly attending prenatal care visits, you can speak with your care team on a frequent basis regarding questions and concerns as they happen. Pregnancy—especially if it’s your first one—can be a harrowing experience! A prenatal care team will help you through all the twists and turns and give you the support you need.
Prenatal care also gives new moms time to develop their birth plans and discuss their goals and preferences with their OB/GYN long before going into labor. Prenatal care is the perfect time to discuss what you want to occur in the delivery room, such as the parent-led decision to bank cord blood, which must be brought to a doctor’s attention before labor begins.
Increases Confidence Regarding Medications
Understanding what medications you can and can’t take depending on the trimester you’re currently in can get frustrating. If you’ve formed a relationship with an OB/GYN you can trust, you’ll have a dedicated source of answers to help you. Even if your doctor doesn’t immediately know the answer, they’ll have the research tools to make sure your medication is safe.
Ultimately, prenatal care is necessary for new moms because it improves outcomes for them, the baby, and the family unit. Forming that trust with your healthcare team early in your pregnancy ensures that you can confidently vocalize your questions and birth goals, and you can then carry on that trust for pediatric care as well.
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