First Prenatal Care: A Complete Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

Surprise, distress, fear, anguish, happiness…I’m pregnant, what should I do now? This is one of the first questions that cross our minds when we receive big news. But don’t worry, there’s no need to start pulling your hair out! In today’s post I will show you what the first prenatal care is for you to have a healthy pregnancy.

I must confess that as soon as the doctor confirmed that I was pregnant with my first daughter, I was in shock! A first-time mother, completely inexperienced, I felt lost. But after the penny dropped and I became better informed about what the first prenatal care was, everything became much simpler.

This care is essential to guarantee the well-being of both mother and baby. During this phase, medical examinations are carried out, monitoring of fetal development, guidance on healthy habits, prevention and early identification of possible complications, etc. All of this contributes to a safe pregnancy and a healthy birth.

So, if you got here lost and disoriented, don’t worry! Keep reading and check out our complete guide on first prenatal care.

First prenatal consultation

The first consultation with the obstetrician gynecologist It is one of the most anxiety-provoking and also one of the most important throughout the journey.

As soon as you have confirmation that you are pregnant, the initial step should be to make an appointment with a trusted doctor, as he will be the one who will guide you along this path during the 9 months of pregnancy.

Therefore, the frequency of consultations will vary according to your clinical condition and your doctor’s recommendations. Normally consultations are monthly, however, in recent months the frequency may increase, to closely monitor the baby’s progress and the mother’s conditions for the big moment of childbirth.

Take a battery of clinical exams

At the initial consultation, the doctor recommends carrying out a battery ofexam blood and urine. At first, when looking at the list, you might be a little scared, but it’s no cause for concern, as these are routine and necessary exams.
These are some of the main exams recommended:

• Complete blood count;
• Rubella;
• Blood group and Rh factor;
• Hepatitis B and C;
• Urine;
• Fasting blood glucose;
• Feces;
• VDRL;
• ELISA anti-HIV;
• Ultrasound;
• Syphilis.

Perform the first ultrasound

One of the most exciting and awaited moments for future dads! After confirmation of pregnancy, the first ultrasound is generally performed between the sixth and eighth week of pregnancy.
In this ultrasound, the doctor visualizes the embryo, the presence of the gestational sac and heartbeat, confirms the gestational age, and is even able to calculate a possible date for delivery. It is also important to observe the woman’s cervix and ovaries.

Ensure adequate nutrition

Proper nutrition during pregnancy is vital. Pregnant women can maintain their eating habits, but it is important to incorporate more fruits and vegetables rich in iron, calcium and folic acid.
Likewise, you should avoid foods high in fat and sugar, such as hamburgers, cookies, cakes, sweet breads, soft drinks and desserts.
In the first few months, despite nausea, it is essential to pay more attention to correct nutrition, as symptoms tend to lessen only after a few months.

Adequate hydration

Adequate hydration helps to prevent dehydration, which can lead to complications such as premature contractions, urinary tract infections and even premature birth. Additionally, staying hydrated also helps alleviate common pregnancy symptoms like constipation and bloating.
Each pregnant woman may have different hydration needs, but doctors usually recommend drinking at least 2 to 3 liters of water daily.

Develop an exercise routine

Practicing light physical activities, such as walking, can bring significant benefits during pregnancy. Among the first prenatal care, these activities help reduce swelling, reduce the risk of hypertension and gestational diabetes, in addition to contributing to weight control.
Remembering that it is essential that, before starting any physical activity, consult your doctor. If there are no restrictions, you can incorporate some activity into your daily routine, such as yoga, pilates, swimming and water aerobics.

Avoid over-the-counter medications

During pregnancy, the expectant mother cannot take all types of medication, as several substances can affect the baby’s development, among others. Therefore, under no circumstances self-medicate.
Whenever necessary, consult your doctor if you need to take any type of medication. Only the specialist will give you the safest advice.

Get adequate rest

To conclude our list of first prenatal care, adequate rest and quality sleep is essential. Throughout pregnancy, it is normal to feel a feeling of tiredness all the time.
In the first few months, excess sleep is inevitable, and then, in the last few weeks, the weight of your belly can cause some difficulty in carrying out daily tasks.

But this is all part of the process! Because of this, it is very important that you get enough rest, as well as avoiding heavy activities.

Furthermore, take the opportunity now to get plenty of sleep, because once the little one is home, the hours of sleep will be very few!
I hope that our complete guide to early prenatal care will be of great help to you in achieving a healthy pregnancy and making the most of your baby bump.

And do not forgetIf you have any doubts, always consult your doctor and attend prenatal appointments regularly throughout your pregnancy.

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