Prenatal Care What is it? Why is it important?

Prenatal Care Definition: steps being taken to provide for the health of a pregnant female and her baby. It involves regular visits to a health clinic, family doctor, or obstetrician –Obstetrician: a doctor who specializes in the care of a pregnant female and her developing fetus and who is present at the birth of the baby.

What is involved in Prenatal Care? Eating nutritious foods Getting enough rest Participating in moderate exercise Avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs Avoiding all medicines except those the health care provider feels are necessary

Pregnancy testing Home pregnancy tests –T–These detect one or more of the hormones that are present during pregnancy –D–Directions may be unclear –R–Results may be hard to figure out A visit to the doctor can provide a more accurate pregnancy test –T–The doctor does an internal exam and notes changes in the color of the internal organs like the cervix

Changes in the mother-to -be Her body produces more blood Uterus and its supporting muscles increase in size and strength Joints become more flexible to prepare for childbirth Breasts are growing and changing in preparation for lactation Hormones are changing her brain and her mood She may be constipated, have shortness of breath, frequent urination, backaches, or morning sickness.

Good health is important before conception Good health of both the future mother and father are important in the three months prior to conception –Both parent need to be free of drugs of all kinds - OTC, prescription, and mind-altering drugs including alcohol –Good nutrition BEFORE pregnancy is important because it affects the sperm and supports the hormone balance needed for conception.

Maternal nutrition Mom needs to have adequate nutrients stored in her body Problems are caused by: Losing weight by not eating Snacking on candy, high fat foods, and soda pop Not having enough money to buy healthy food

Good Nutrition DURING pregnancy Malnutrition during pregnancy can reduce the number of brain cells the baby has It can impair other body organs and systems of the baby A pregnant teenager needs enough nutrients to support both her growing needs and those of her unborn baby All mothers-to-be, regardless of age, need nutritional supplements (vitamins)

Nutritional needs Eat food with high nutrition and low calorie levels, a.k.a “nutrient dense” foods Get more milk and vegetables daily plus one more serving of meat

Exercise is important Be sure to protect the abdomen from injury If used to the exercise, continue as before, otherwise, start slowly and build up the stamina Physical activity can help reduce some of mom’s discomforts It can also help with a smoother delivery and a quicker recovery after birth

Weight Gain The weight gain supports: –Placental growth –Uterus growth –Increased size of breasts –7 1/2 pound average baby –Increased blood and fluid volume A gain of 25 to 35 pounds is normal during pregnancy

Where is the weight? DevelopmentWeight Gain infant at birth7 1/2 lbs. placenta1 lb. mother’s added blood4 lbs. mother’s added fluid4 lbs. growth of uterus2 1/2 lbs. growth of breasts3 lbs. amniotic fluid2 lbs. mother’s fat stores7 lbs. Total31 lbs.

High Risk Prenatal care by doctors throughout pregnancy lets risk factors be checked and treated Abnormalities in the fetus can be found in maternal blood and urine samples Pregnant teens have more complications than older women –Anemia (low iron) –Prolonged labor (due to physical immaturity) –Death –Low birth weight babies

Low birth weight babies More likely to die during early infancy Weight less than 5 1/2 pounds at birth Face more illness and early death (Many die before first birthday ) May be too weak to suck or obtain milk May be too weak to cry for their needs Causes: –Early birth (premature before 37 weeks) –Growth failure in the uterus

Risks of teen mothers A female teens’ body is still developing and may not be ready to support and nourish and unborn child Many teens do not get adequate nutrition Many teens receive little or no prenatal care Babies born to teen mothers are more likely to have low birth weights

Consequences of teen parenthood Financial problems –Thousands of dollars first year alone in supplies, food, clothing, medical care Education and career plans must be put on hold –Quit school (no childcare) or work to support child –No education = lower pay Emotional stress –Still trying to discover who they are, now they have to worry about a baby Personal and social life –Less time for friends –Too tired for social activities –Resent losing their freedom

Birth problems Congenital abnormalities include diseases and birth defects * Birth Defects: abnormalities present at birth that cause physical or mental disability or death What can cause problems? Poor nutrition Alcohol use Medicines & other drugs Tobacco use Infections (esp. measles) STD’s

Drug abuse during pregnancy Amphetamines: suspected nervous system damage, behavior abnormalities Barbiturates: newborn drug withdrawal lasting up to six months Cocaine: uncontrolled jerking motions; paralysis; abnormal behaviors; permanent mental and physical damage Marijuana: short term irritability at birth Opiates: (including heroin): drug withdrawal in newborn; permanent learning disability (ADD) Alcohol: fetal alcohol syndrome (clustered effects including permanent mental and physical retardation; facial abnormalities)fetal alcohol syndrome

The look of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Source: nlm.nih.gov

The look of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome S ource:

The look of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Source: minnesota.publicradio.org

The look of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Source:

The look of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Source: