Prenatal Care in Pregnancy of Mother

If you are an exceptional mother, it is of vital importance to stay fit an well throughout your pregnancy, and so to ensure having an easy birth and a healthy baby. Every year in Great Britain alone, 15 babies out of 1000 are still born or die within one week of their birth. But many of these deaths could have been avoided If mother had taken advantages of prenatal care facilitates available. This involves regular visits to the doctor, a balanced diet and controlled daily exercise and rest. in this article, you will discuss on valuable and important prenatal care in pregnancy of mother who is enjoying the wonderful blessing of giving the birth of new life.

Prenatal Care in Pregnancy of Mother Tips:

Prenatal take care in pregnancy of mother is essentially important that follows a combination physical, medical, proper nutrition and proper exercises and practice of yoga. Lets see these combination in details and try to gather knowledge and information on this point.

Diet and General Health of Prenatal Care in Pregnancy of Mother:

A well balanced diet is essential during the prenatal care in pregnancy of mother. ‘Eating for two’ is unnecessary. In fact, gaining too much weight is bad for both mother and baby and makes it more difficult for you to regain your figure after birth. The total weight gain during pregnancy should not be more than between 12 to 14 Kg (25-28lb). What is important is to ensure that you get the best nutritional value from your food and eat in sensible quantities.

Your daily diet should include protein- two or three helpings of meat, fish or cheese; milk – half a litre, vegetables and salad – two helpings; fresh fruit – two portions, to include one citrus fruit or its juice; butter or margarine in moderation; wholemeal bread – four to five slices (or substitute cereal or pasta for some of the slices.)

Vitamins: Vitamins play an important part in our general health in prenatal care in pregnancy of mother and are easily absorbed through sensible eating. Routine ‘multi-vitamin’ supplements during pregnancy are unnecessary, unless your doctor finds otherwise.

Minerals: Minerals are also important as vitamins to the pregnant woman. They are also readily available in the foods we eat. Most hospitals distribute iron tablets as a routine measure during the last three months of pregnancy. Calcium is also often given as a supplement.

Your nutritional needs during pregnancy:

1. Proteins:

Sources: Meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, dried beans, peas, pulses, nuts, grains and some vegetables.
Effects: Build the tissues that form the baby and the growth of the placenta and help strengthen the uterus.

2. Carbohydrates:

Sources: Flour, cereals, fruit, starchy, vegetables, honey and milk.
Effects: Energy producing foods which if taken in excess cause obesity. Most women, however, need more calories than usual during pregnancy.

3. Fats:

Sources: Meat, poultry, oily fish, dairy products, eggs, nuts.
Effects: Fats are necessary to a balanced diet because they help the body absorb vitamins. But be careful because they can easily cause obesity.

4. Vitamins A:

Sources: Dairy products, fish liver oils, margarine, oily fish, variety meats, carrots, apricots, tomatoes, green vegetables.
Effects: Good for the skin, eyes, bones and many of the internal organs.

5. Vitamin B Group:

Sources: Green leafy vegetables, wholewheat products, liver, kidneys and brewer’s yeast.
Effects: Help prevent constipation, nervousness, skin problems, increase the energy level and help form red blood cells.

6. Vitamin C:

Sources: Citrus fruits, berry fruits, green vegetables, salads, peppers, parsley, tomatoes and potatoes.
Effects: Strengthens the placenta, aids the absorption of iron and helps in the formation of the baby’s skin, ligaments and bones.

7. vitamin D:

Sources: Fish liver oils, oily fish, margarine, eggs, butter, cheese, liver.
Effects: Helps the body absorb calcium which is essential to build and strengthen bones.

8. Calcium:

Sources: Dairy products, fish, nuts, oranges, raspberries, dried fruits, leafy green vegetables, swedes, turnips, cauliflower and sesame seeds.
Effects: Builds the bones and teeth of the growing baby.

9. Iron:

Sources: Meat (especially liver, kidney and variety meats), cereal products, eggs, pilchards, sardines, spinach, parsley, watercress, cocoa, chocolate, molasses and nuts.
Effects: Prevents anemia – the baby has to store a reserve of iron in its liver on which to draw while being on a milk diet after birth. It continually saps the mother’s natural supply in the womb which makes supplements necessary.

How to Take Care in Pregnancy in Waiting Months:

Prenatal clinics are usually attached to a hospital or your own doctor may provide suitable Prenatal care.

The first visit should be made between the first eight and twelve weeks of pregnancy. The doctor will check your medical history, including details of previous pregnancy, any hereditary illness and the general state of your health.

He or she will then give you a general examination and measure your weight, height and blood pressure. You may have an internal examination. Samples of urine and blood will be taken for tests and a card detailing your medical history, the tests carried out and the progress of the pregnancy may be issued.

Your next visit will be four weeks later and then at four-weekly intervals up to the 28^th week of your pregnancy. After that you will need a check-up every two weeks up to the 36^th week, then every week until the baby is born. If there are any problem, more frequent visits may be necessary.

Each time, you will be asked how you feel, have a urine test, your blood pressure and weight will be checked and your abdomen examined. The doctor will listen to the foetal heart-beat and you may have an internal examination.

There will be also discussions on the emotional and physical problems that occur in pregnancy, and the emotional reactions which may be experienced after the birth. Advice on breast feeding or bottle feeding is given. You will also be exercises that will help you to regain your figure after your baby is born.

Take Care of Physical Preparation in Pregnancy:

One of the commonest problems throughout pregnancy is bad pasture. Try standing, walking and sitting properly; it will soon come naturally.

The three main exercises to practice are the pelvic floor and abdominal exercises and birth position.

There are various relaxation techniques that you can perfect. Conscious relaxation can be practiced at any time; check that your facial muscles, shoulders and hands are not tense. Relax by dropping your shoulders and unclenching your hands. Disassociation relaxation is a particularly good technique to learn for coping with labor. This involves tensing one set of muscles while keeping the remaining muscles in your body relaxed.

Deep relaxation is the best practiced before going to sleep. Lie down comfortably and allow your body to ‘let go’.

Yoga Exercises during pregnancy:

1. Cat Pose:

How to practice: Start by sitting on your heels, bend forwards onto knees, keep back straight, as relaxed as possible.

2. Squatting:

How to practice: Start in a standing position, legs apart, then squat. This helps prevent backache and constipation.

3. The Tailor:

How to practice: Sit upright, on front of buttocks, gently push knees down with elbows, lift thighs and lower them.

Taking Care of Your Appearance in prenatal care in pregnancy of mother:

If you look good when you are pregnant, you will feel good. Always wear comfortable clothes, in flattering colors. Never wear clothes that are too tight and remember that properly fitting underwear is very important, especially a good maternity bra. Wear shoes that are low healed or flat, and if you have varicose veins, always wear support stocking. Keep your hair in good condition.

Pay special attention to your skin as part of your daily routine in prenatal care in pregnancy of mother. Use moisturizer on your hands, neck and face. Pour a little baby oil into your daily bath and message oil into your breasts and abdomen. This helps prevent stretch marks.

Finally, practice prenatal and breathing exercises for ten minutes each day and rest to build up reserves of energy.

Tests you may be given during pregnancy:

1. Urine:

How often: Each prenatal visit, occasionally a 24-hour sample is collected.
Reason: To check sugar and protein levels, to check hormone level to see if placenta, which links mother and baby, is functioning correctly.

2. Cervical Smear:

How often: Once
Reason: Cells are analyzed to see whether there are any infections, such as gonorrhoea or yeast, or early pre-cancerous changes.

3. Blood Tests:

How often: First pre-natal visit, 16-17 weeks, Subsequent
Reason: Blood group is established and checked for anti-bodies that could affect the baby; hemoglobin level for anemia, venereal disease, suspectibility to German measles.

Defects in baby such as anencephaly, other neural tube (tube enclosing spinal fluid) defects.

Anemia, if condition is suspected on first visit.

4. Ultrasound Scan:

How often: At 16 weeks
Reason: Establishes sizes of baby; measure fetal heart beat. It has largely replaced X-rays as a way of monitoring a baby’s development and can confirm number of babies in uterus.

Prenatal Classes:

Recently, prenatal classes and counselling are added as prenatal care in pregnancy of mother. By the 20^th week of your pregnancy you should enroll in a prenatal class. These classes are usually run by hospitals, some doctors and private and charitable organizations.

In these classes the growth of the foetus in its various stages will be explained. You will also be shown exercises that aid relaxation, help prevent physical problems and prepare the muscles that will be used in labor.

Next, you will be told about the whole process of birth and you may be shown a film of an actual delivery. You will also learn about labor and what to expect at each stage, various delivery positions, analgesic (pain killers) and how to breath correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Prenatal Care in Pregnancy of Mother:

Q. Is it possible to establish the sex of my baby before it is born. And if so, how?

Ans: A test is called amniocentesis can be carried out to show the sex of your baby. However, it is only run when there is a suspicion that the baby is abnormal – and it does carry a small risk. It is therefore unlikely that you will be able to take the test to identify sex only. And anyway, surely part of the fun of having a baby is not knowing the sex it is?

Q. Is it dangerous for my husband and me to make love? I am in my eight month of pregnancy?

Ans: If you and the baby are in good health, there is no reason at all why you should not continue your love-making until the very end of your pregnancy. In fact, it is probably very good for your relationship at this important time. And if you have problems finding a comfortable position, try something new – preferably where penetration is not too deep. Of course, should there be any discomfort, pain or bleeding, you should see your doctor at once for a checkup.

Q. My husband and I both feel it is important that he should be present at our baby’s birth. Is this possible?

Ans: My hospitals welcome the presence of the father at the birth, but check that this is so in your case. Many prenatal classes also involve the expectant father, preparing him to help during the labor rather than just watch. The doctor may allow your husband to help you give birth by holding up your legs and putting an arm around you to support your back. He can also guide you through your contractions if you are using relaxation techniques. And both of you can benefit from sharing the moments following birth.

Q. I am a twin and my husband’s family also has a history of twins. I am now 12 weeks pregnant and am wondering how soon I can find out whether I am going to have one child or more.

Ans: Sixteen weeks is the earliest that you can be sure of clear results from an ultrasound scan, which many hospitals run as a matter of routine at this stage. If this is not the case with your hospitals, tell them of your concern and they will arrange a test for you.

Q. I have a very small frame and my baby is thought t be very large. My doctor wants me to have an X-ray to establish the size of my baby’s head in relation to my pelvis. Won’t this damage my unborn child?

Ans: The doctor will not take the X-ray until the last four weeks of pregnancy. It is in the first three months that the foetus is most vulnerable and likely to be damaged by the rays. This applies to X-rays on any part of the body; so remember to tell your dentist that you are pregnant if he or she decided to X-ray your teeth. X-rays are hardly ever used on expectant mothers these days; ultrasound scan is considered sufficient in most cases.