Forsyth Medical Center 
Adult Years
Prenatal Care
| Prenatal care is the care a woman gets before and during pregnancy. It is important for both mother and baby to get early and regular prenatal care. |
Prenatal care begins with education and counseling. Being prepared, before you get pregnant, can lead to healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. In fact, health care providers are now recommending preconception care before a woman is even trying to get pregnant.
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Questions about prenatal medical care? Visit our Health Library for answers. |
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Regular physical exams are recommended to provide the best care for the mother and developing baby. These visits may include physical examinations, prenatal screening tests for the baby, weight and blood pressure measurement for the mother, and monitoring of the growth and development of the baby.
The National Institutes of Health recommends 3 steps a woman can take to reduce the risk of certain problems during pregnancy:
- Folic Acid: Many health care providers recommend supplementing your diet with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid for 3 months before getting pregnant and continuing through at least the first 3 months of pregnancy.
- Proper immunizations for the mother: Women who are thinking about getting pregnant should make sure they have been properly vaccinated for certain diseases that could harm a developing fetus (such as chicken pox or rubella). It is important to get these vaccinations before becoming pregnant because they can harm a developing fetus.
- Healthy behaviors: Having a healthy weight and diet and getting regular physical activity can help both the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Avoiding smoking, alcohol, or drug use is also important. In addition, certain medications and exposures in the environment can be harmful to the fetus so it is important to avoid them during pregnancy.
