Pregnancy and childbirth are the toughest periods for women. Whether it’s your first pregnancy or the third, pregnancy symptoms and the fear of labor can be too overwhelming to handle. To help you cope with these challenges, a gynecologist in Navi Mumbai offers antenatal care.
It’s about ensuring a smooth pregnancy and an easy transition to the postpartum phase. The classes equip you with the knowledge and skills to handle pregnancy, labor, childbirth, breastfeeding, and your parenthood journey effectively. Here’s why antenatal care is important:
Benefits of Antenatal Care
Here’s why every woman needs to consider antenatal classes or an all-inclusive maternity care program:
a) Ensure Healthy Pregnancy:
Antenatal care is mostly about taking care of the mother and the fetus during pregnancy and in the initial stages of parenthood. Your gynecologist will run tests, like blood tests, urinalysis, and ultrasounds, to check your and the baby’s wellbeing.
b) Monitoring Fetal Development:
Regular fetal monitoring is part of your antenatal care program. The doctor will check the baby’s heartbeat, position, and overall growth using physical examination and ultrasound tests.
c) Early Detection of Health Issues:
Some women might develop hypertension, gestational diabetes, anemia, and other medical complications during pregnancy. Identifying and addressing these problems early can prevent complications during delivery.
d) Nutritional Guidance:
Your body demands a nutrient-rich diet, particularly foods rich in fiber, protein, essential vitamins and minerals, etc. Antenatal care ensures that you get sufficient amounts of these nutrients through your diet. If not, your doctor will prescribe calcium, iron, and other supplements to meet your body’s increasing demand for these nutrients.
e) Help Deal With High-Risk Pregnancies:
Women with high-risk pregnancies, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, a history of miscarriage, and other medical conditions, require regular monitoring. Your doctor may also advise you to get an ultrasound every few weeks to ensure your baby’s optimal growth.
Components of Antenatal Care
Here’s what the antenatal care program includes:
i) Regular Checkups and Screenings:
You will need to schedule a visit to the maternity hospital in Navi Mumbai every month or more frequently depending on what your gynecologist advises. You also need to get regular screenings in the first, second, and third trimesters to track your baby’s growth.
ii) Educational Support:
Antenatal care allows you to ask your doctor all the questions you have regarding pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and postpartum care. Your doctor will prepare you for childbirth by discussing different delivery methods, their pros and cons, recovery after delivery, and so on. You will also learn breathing techniques.
iii) Immunizations and Supplements:
Tetanus shots during pregnancy are necessary for the protection of both you and your baby. For RhD-negative mothers expecting RhD-positive babies, an anti-D injection is given to prevent the formation of antibodies in the mother’s body.
Conclusion
Prenatal checkups are not just about hospital visits and screenings. These are an important part of your pregnancy journey. It’s a comprehensive program that covers everything from your nutrition to labor management techniques. Talk to your healthcare provider about the antenatal care offered and the services included.
