PRENATAL TESTS
There are a couple of prenatal tests that are required to be carried out during the 1st trimester. these inlcude blood tests to confirm couple of things that could affect your babys development.
IN addition to these tests, ultrasounds are also required to be processed atleast once every trimester to monitor the babys progress, and growth. In the case of any complications that may arise, ultrasounds may be required more than indicated.
Also for patients with a diabetic family history, a blood sugar test will be carried out to ensure the baby has not inheited the gene.
Lets look at each:
BLOOD TESTS -1st TRIMESTER:
1. Blood Count: This test will indicate the number of red blood cells and white blood cells present in your blood which will help detect any early infections. The count of red blood cells will illustrate the amount of haemoglobin thus determining your iron levels. In the case of low iron levels, you will be given additional iron supplements.
2. Blood Type, RH factor: To determine your blood type and also to check if your RH factor is positive or negative. In the case your RH factor is negative you will be injected with rh immunoglobin during the cycle to ensure that you do not develop antibodies that could affect your current or future pregnancies.
3.Syphillis: This is a STI. If found could result in damaging effects to your baby and you.
4. Hep B: Many women are Hep B carriers and this can be passed onto your baby during labour or after birth. IN the case you are your doctor will treat your baby with Hep B injections upon his arrival.
5. HIV: If you are tested positive with this virus, your baby will be treated against this to ensure that he doesnt inherit this virus and also to maintain your health.
ULTRASOUNDS
An ultrasound is a technique where sound waves are used to gather the image of your uterus and its surroundings which include most importantly the baby and the placenta. Ultrasounds help your doctors gather information on the progres your baby is making.
High frequency sound waves are sent via your uterus to the baby where they echo back to the system and the computer translates the echoing sound waves into images, thus illustrating the shape and position of your baby and placenta.
Under normal circumstances i.e in an uncomplicated pregnancy, ultra sounds are carried once every trimester to monitor the babys develpoment and check your progress. However in the case of complication your doctors may require more than the specified number of ultrasounds.
Most women look forward to the ultrasounds as it gives them a glimpse of the little life growing inside them.
Lets see some info that a basic ultra sound will provide:
1. Location of the baby: It clearly indicates the positon of your baby - this helps to ensure the pregnancy is normal and not ectopic i.e not in the fallopian tubes.
2. Heartbeat: The heartbeat per minute is measured to confirm its normal.
3. Multiple pregnancies: to confirm the number of babies.
4. Location of the placenta: to ensure that the placenta is correctly placed at the top/left/right of the uterus and ensuring it is not covering the cervix. Placenta covering the cervix can cause a complication later in the pregnancy, however in this case, your doctor will reconfirm again during the 3rd trimester on the position of the placenta. Most women experince placenta previa during the 1st trimester of their pregnancies which naturally settles away during the 2nd trimester.
5. Size of the baby and others: the baby is measured from the top of the head through the abdomen and the legs. Natually the size of the baby will vary along with the pregnancy. in addition the sonographer will also check the babys vital organs to ensure they are growing and functioning as required. These include the head, heart, spine, legs, arms etc.
In the case of both the weight factor and abnomalities, your doctor will advise you in accordance on the same upon having studied the report.
6. Amount of Amniotic fluid: having too much or too little amniotic fluid can result in a complication and thus this is required to be monitored very closely.
7. Babys Sex: You will also during the 2nd trimester be able to get your babys sex from the ultrasound.
PRENATAL CARE:
Immediately you learn you are pregnant it is important to set up an appointment with your selected doctor to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. It is very important you select someone that you can trust, are comfortable with and someone who will be there. It is important that you make the right choice in selecting your doctor - one who will be with you all along your gestation cycle and after.
YOUR 1ST PRENATAL VISIT:
All pregnant women require prenatal care from day 1, which result in healthier pregnancies and healthier babies.
Your 1st prenatal visit will be possibly one of the longest visits with your care giver and will involve you discussing your past medical history, family medical history and also a series of tests will be performed to check the state of your pregnancy to ensure all is as should be.
Please be sure to give complete info about all family history including all chronic and hereditary illnesses.
Also you will be required to give info on your last menstrual period, so that the date of conception and due date can be calculated.
In addition to the above discussed blood and urine tests, also a physical test will be carried out to check your weight, height etc.
After this visit your doctor will request you see him every 4 weeks unless until the end of the 7th month of pregnancy, unless ofcourse there is a complication with your health or the pregnancy. Also the frequency of the visits will change. At the 8th month, the visits will be twice a month and thereafter weekly. Also as the pregnancy progresses your doctor will asses the size of your belly and check your abdomen for the position of the baby.
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR:
CHOOSING YOUR PRACTITIONER:
Choosing your practitioner can be a tough decision, however is the most important decision. You need to speak to your friends and family and enquire on the doctors/midwives they had and their experiences. Your gynaecologist has to be one that you can trust and some one you are comfortable with. It is advised that you make this choice sooner than later so that he/she can accompany you through the process from as early as possible to labour.
BIRTHING ALTERNATIVES:
Today women have more options on how and when to give birth. Lets discuss couple of birthung options:
LEBOYER: This birthing process illustrates that the birthing process should be as tranquil as possible - the journey of the baby from the uterus to the outside world should be as smooth as possible, and included soft music, soft lights, warm bath for the baby, not cutting the umbilical cord immediately etc.
WATER BIRTHS: This method makes the transition of the babys movements from the womb into the world much easier as he/she is welcomed into a warm environment similar to that of the womb. Immediately the baby is born, he/she is picked from the water and placed into the mothers arms.
Water birth has the risk of the baby drowning since the breathing process only commences when the baby is exposed to air.
You can have your partner join you in the water tub either to assist you during the delivery or just to help you relax or give you back support. Many women prefer this mode of delivery as the warm water eases the process and help them relax.
PRENATAL CLASSES: Many women find that joining birth classes with their partners is very helpful. There are a variety of classes available from pregnancy yoga, to gym in addition to the famous Lamez classes. These classes empower women about what to expect and prepare them mentally and emotionally for the entire process. Discuss the options of birth classes with your caregiver and decide what may be best for you and your baby.
Most prenatal classes teach breathing exercises, detailed explanation of the birthing process, practice on how to care for your baby. This is the best place to air your questions, concerns and fears.
SELF CARE AT HOME:
There are a couple of prenatal tests that are required to be carried out during the 1st trimester. these inlcude blood tests to confirm couple of things that could affect your babys development.
IN addition to these tests, ultrasounds are also required to be processed atleast once every trimester to monitor the babys progress, and growth. In the case of any complications that may arise, ultrasounds may be required more than indicated.
Also for patients with a diabetic family history, a blood sugar test will be carried out to ensure the baby has not inheited the gene.
Lets look at each:
BLOOD TESTS -1st TRIMESTER:
1. Blood Count: This test will indicate the number of red blood cells and white blood cells present in your blood which will help detect any early infections. The count of red blood cells will illustrate the amount of haemoglobin thus determining your iron levels. In the case of low iron levels, you will be given additional iron supplements.
2. Blood Type, RH factor: To determine your blood type and also to check if your RH factor is positive or negative. In the case your RH factor is negative you will be injected with rh immunoglobin during the cycle to ensure that you do not develop antibodies that could affect your current or future pregnancies.
3.Syphillis: This is a STI. If found could result in damaging effects to your baby and you.
4. Hep B: Many women are Hep B carriers and this can be passed onto your baby during labour or after birth. IN the case you are your doctor will treat your baby with Hep B injections upon his arrival.
5. HIV: If you are tested positive with this virus, your baby will be treated against this to ensure that he doesnt inherit this virus and also to maintain your health.
ULTRASOUNDS
An ultrasound is a technique where sound waves are used to gather the image of your uterus and its surroundings which include most importantly the baby and the placenta. Ultrasounds help your doctors gather information on the progres your baby is making.
High frequency sound waves are sent via your uterus to the baby where they echo back to the system and the computer translates the echoing sound waves into images, thus illustrating the shape and position of your baby and placenta.
Under normal circumstances i.e in an uncomplicated pregnancy, ultra sounds are carried once every trimester to monitor the babys develpoment and check your progress. However in the case of complication your doctors may require more than the specified number of ultrasounds.
Most women look forward to the ultrasounds as it gives them a glimpse of the little life growing inside them.
Lets see some info that a basic ultra sound will provide:
1. Location of the baby: It clearly indicates the positon of your baby - this helps to ensure the pregnancy is normal and not ectopic i.e not in the fallopian tubes.
2. Heartbeat: The heartbeat per minute is measured to confirm its normal.
3. Multiple pregnancies: to confirm the number of babies.
4. Location of the placenta: to ensure that the placenta is correctly placed at the top/left/right of the uterus and ensuring it is not covering the cervix. Placenta covering the cervix can cause a complication later in the pregnancy, however in this case, your doctor will reconfirm again during the 3rd trimester on the position of the placenta. Most women experince placenta previa during the 1st trimester of their pregnancies which naturally settles away during the 2nd trimester.
5. Size of the baby and others: the baby is measured from the top of the head through the abdomen and the legs. Natually the size of the baby will vary along with the pregnancy. in addition the sonographer will also check the babys vital organs to ensure they are growing and functioning as required. These include the head, heart, spine, legs, arms etc.
In the case of both the weight factor and abnomalities, your doctor will advise you in accordance on the same upon having studied the report.
6. Amount of Amniotic fluid: having too much or too little amniotic fluid can result in a complication and thus this is required to be monitored very closely.
7. Babys Sex: You will also during the 2nd trimester be able to get your babys sex from the ultrasound.
PRENATAL CARE:
Immediately you learn you are pregnant it is important to set up an appointment with your selected doctor to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. It is very important you select someone that you can trust, are comfortable with and someone who will be there. It is important that you make the right choice in selecting your doctor - one who will be with you all along your gestation cycle and after.
YOUR 1ST PRENATAL VISIT:
All pregnant women require prenatal care from day 1, which result in healthier pregnancies and healthier babies.
Your 1st prenatal visit will be possibly one of the longest visits with your care giver and will involve you discussing your past medical history, family medical history and also a series of tests will be performed to check the state of your pregnancy to ensure all is as should be.
Please be sure to give complete info about all family history including all chronic and hereditary illnesses.
Also you will be required to give info on your last menstrual period, so that the date of conception and due date can be calculated.
In addition to the above discussed blood and urine tests, also a physical test will be carried out to check your weight, height etc.
After this visit your doctor will request you see him every 4 weeks unless until the end of the 7th month of pregnancy, unless ofcourse there is a complication with your health or the pregnancy. Also the frequency of the visits will change. At the 8th month, the visits will be twice a month and thereafter weekly. Also as the pregnancy progresses your doctor will asses the size of your belly and check your abdomen for the position of the baby.
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR:
Questions to Ask the Doctor
- Am I at risk for genetic diseases?
- How much weight should I gain?
- Am I gaining weight too fast?
- How should I alter my diet (especially if a vegetarian
or a vegan)?
- What tests should I have and when should I schedule
them?
- Am I a high-risk patient?
- What is my risk for cesarean birth?
- What exercises are safe?
- What vaccinations should I have?
- What medications may I take?
- May we develop a birth plan?
- Should I hire a doula?
- Will I be allowed to have keepsake ultrasound pictures?
CHOOSING YOUR PRACTITIONER:
Choosing your practitioner can be a tough decision, however is the most important decision. You need to speak to your friends and family and enquire on the doctors/midwives they had and their experiences. Your gynaecologist has to be one that you can trust and some one you are comfortable with. It is advised that you make this choice sooner than later so that he/she can accompany you through the process from as early as possible to labour.
BIRTHING ALTERNATIVES:
Today women have more options on how and when to give birth. Lets discuss couple of birthung options:
LEBOYER: This birthing process illustrates that the birthing process should be as tranquil as possible - the journey of the baby from the uterus to the outside world should be as smooth as possible, and included soft music, soft lights, warm bath for the baby, not cutting the umbilical cord immediately etc.
WATER BIRTHS: This method makes the transition of the babys movements from the womb into the world much easier as he/she is welcomed into a warm environment similar to that of the womb. Immediately the baby is born, he/she is picked from the water and placed into the mothers arms.
Water birth has the risk of the baby drowning since the breathing process only commences when the baby is exposed to air.
You can have your partner join you in the water tub either to assist you during the delivery or just to help you relax or give you back support. Many women prefer this mode of delivery as the warm water eases the process and help them relax.
PRENATAL CLASSES: Many women find that joining birth classes with their partners is very helpful. There are a variety of classes available from pregnancy yoga, to gym in addition to the famous Lamez classes. These classes empower women about what to expect and prepare them mentally and emotionally for the entire process. Discuss the options of birth classes with your caregiver and decide what may be best for you and your baby.
Most prenatal classes teach breathing exercises, detailed explanation of the birthing process, practice on how to care for your baby. This is the best place to air your questions, concerns and fears.
SELF CARE AT HOME:
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the pregnancy. Eat a
common-sense balanced diet. Expect to gain between 25-35 pounds if you
are of normal weight. Expect to be on weight restrictions if you are Obese, and in this
case you should only gain 10-15 pounds.
- Do not discontinue prescribed medications without
consulting a doctor, but also consult with a doctor before taking any
nonprescription medications.
- Ginger capsules (available as an over-the-counter option) may help with nausea in pregnancy, sometimes called morning sickness.
Talk with a doctor about other options.
- Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use street drugs.
- Continue to exercise with normal routines unless the
doctor advises otherwise; be sure to get adequate water intake for exercise.
- Sexual intercourse is safe and natural during an uncomplicated pregnancy.
