By:@LizzieWeakley
https://www.facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
4 Ways Regular Prenatal Checkups Help Your Health and Confidence
Most women have heard that regular prenatal care checkups are extremely important during the entire pregnancy process. However, many do not realize exactly why these appointments are as important as they are. Getting good prenatal care offers four key benefits for keeping both you and your baby healthy and happy.
Advice on Healthy Habits
There are many things that women can do to remain healthy, happy, and confident throughout their pregnancy. For example, your doctor will tell you that getting exercise ensures that you will remain strong and healthy throughout pregnancy while decreasing the chances of labor complications. They can help you choose a type of exercise that is healthy for your pregnant body.
In addition, doctors can recommend a prenatal vitamin and give you advice on getting good nutrition. Eating a healthy diet will prevent complications such as anemia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. In addition, a healthy diet will ensure that you get the nutrients you need to support your baby’s development while giving your body what you need to remain attractive and healthy. Pregnant mothers especially need extra Vitamin A, Vitamin D, folic acid, iron, and calcium. While it is important to take a prenatal vitamin, most of these extra nutrients should come from your diet.
Screenings for Peace of Mind
It is normal to be a little nervous when you are pregnant. After all, pregnancy complications can happen. With the proper prenatal care, your fetus will be screened for common birth defects as well as other common disorders .
Getting screened will help you to sleep well at night knowing that your baby is developing normally. In addition, prenatal screenings with obstetricians and maternal-fetal specialists will catch medical issues during screenings or ultrasounds such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and high blood pressure that can harm you and your baby.
Preparation for Birth
Getting the best prenatal care should help to put your mind at ease as you prepare for birth. Your doctor can ensure that your pregnancy is progressing well and that your body is preparing itself for labor.
Seeing a doctor throughout your pregnancy will also give you more control over what happens during and after your labor and delivery. Your doctor can let you know what to expect and also what your options are. It is important to discuss your birth plan with your physician ahead of time, so your wishes will be known and respected at a time when you may not be able to communicate well. In addition, prenatal checkups will give you time to get to know your doctor, so you will have a familiar face in the delivery room.
Knowing That You Are Doing the Best for Your Baby
Prenatal checkups are not just important to your own health, but to the health of your baby as well. Nothing should make you happier and more confident than knowing you are making the best decisions for your baby..
How important is prenatal care? Women who don’t get recommended prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight baby and five times more likely to have a baby who does not survive labor and delivery.
Prenatal appointments are important to you and your baby’s health, but also to your confidence as well. You can feel good knowing that you are taking care of yourself and your child, just as you will for the rest of your life.