Index
Nowadays we still face women who believe that prenatal exams have no need other than not doing prenatal consultations, and that ends up being a little scary for us moms who are really aware of the importance of this monitoring during pregnancy.
Prenatal exams are essential to know so much about the health of the mother that is generating a new life, as the baby and thus guaranteeing not only a smooth pregnancy but an uneventful delivery .
First Obstetrician Requests
In the first consultation after discovering that she is pregnant, the gynecologist will request the first prenatal tests that will include blood and urine tests , first to confirm the pregnancy through the amount of beta HCG in the blood and the value informed in the result, they will have a estimate of the gestation time that should be confirmed in the other exams, obviously with the information given by the mother of the date of the last menstruation.
Explanatory Video
Main Exams Requested
Most of the requested prenatal exams are carried out by collecting the blood of the pregnant woman and the main factors for a healthier pregnancy and development of the baby are evaluated .
If any abnormal factor is found, the obstetrician will provide the appropriate treatment to normalize the situation or at least control it until the baby is born.
Basic Prenatal Tests
The prenatal exams that are always requested at the beginning of pregnancy are:
Complete blood count: This test should be performed on all pregnant women, preferably monthly or as many times as your obstetrician considers relevant. It serves to detect anemia and infections that the mother may have and treat it as soon as possible.
HIV: This is one of the prenatal exams that always occurs early in the pregnancy, and to be performed, you must have the authorization of the pregnant woman. It serves to detect the presence of the HIV virus, which causes AIDS. Remembering that mothers who have the HIV virus must have specialized monitoring and greater care to avoid transmission to the baby.
Rubella Serology: Prenatal examination of great importance is used to detect immunity against rubella virus. Rubella when developed during pregnancy can pose serious risks to the baby’s development.
Reaction to Toxoplasmosis: Another exam of extreme importance is that of reaction to toxoplasmosis, as a case diagnosed during pregnancy can cause serious damage to the baby, affecting nerves and vision. Many women find that they have already got the disease at some stage in their life after this test, finding they are immune.
VDRL (veneral disease research laboratory): Prenatal examination that detects the presence of venereal diseases, such as syphilis. The sooner the presence of these bacteria is detected, the better the treatment response will be, as these bacteria can cause spontaneous abortion, malformation of the fetus and premature birth.
Hepatitis B and C serology : Test that detects the presence of both type B and C hepatitis viruses. If the presence of blood is diagnosed, the pregnant woman should look for a hepatologist who will prescribe the appropriate treatment so that she does not infect the baby during delivery.
Glucose: This prenatal examination is carried out both at the beginning of pregnancy and around the 26th week, it is used to detect intolerance to glucose and gestational diabetes. When diagnosed early on high blood glucose , serious health risks for the mother and baby can be avoided.
Urine: Examination that detects the presence of urinary tract infection and can assist in the control of hypertensive pregnant women, detecting the presence of proteins. Very important test to monitor diabetic pregnancies and avoid possible pre-eclampsia
Stool: Examination that detects the presence of parasites in the intestine of the pregnant woman must be performed three days for the correct diagnosis.
Ultrasound: This exam, which mothers expect, should be done at least three times during the entire pregnancy. One in the first trimester to confirm the gestational time more accurately, in the second trimester when the baby is already fully formed including his genitals and in the third to monitor the baby’s growth, control of amniotic fluid and placental grade .
Obviously these are prenatal examinations requested and performed for all pregnant women. If it is a risky pregnancy or has a problem detected in the tests, the doctor may order additional tests or repeat as many times as he / she considers important.
Prenatal Step by Step
Prenatal consultations should take place monthly until the 7th month of pregnancy, after which it becomes fortnightly until the 36th week and weekly until the day of the baby’s birth.
From the first consultation, a card will be delivered where all the information of the pregnant woman will be recorded during the 9 months, being carried out and recorded in all consultations measurement of blood pressure , weight of the pregnant woman, uterine height and the baby’s heart will also be heard.
All exams requested by the doctor during consultations must be performed responsibly and delivered at the next consultation for evaluation and, if necessary, to start the indicated treatment.
Vitamins
The doctor will prescribe poly vitamins that will assist in the development of the baby and also in the lack of iron of the pregnant woman, if she is not able to feed as she should mainly at the beginning of the pregnancy.
Some health centers offer preparatory courses for future mothers, teaching about baby care, explaining about childbirth and also talking about the importance of breastfeeding. These courses help a lot in the preparation and awareness of mothers, especially those on their first trip.
Prenatal examinations and consultations during pregnancy are extremely important for monitoring and assessing the health of the mother and baby . With the correct monitoring, many complications can be avoided during pregnancy, such as during and after the birth of the baby, in addition to preserving the health of both, so every woman when suspecting pregnancy should immediately seek a gynecologist .
See also: First Pregnancy – Examinations and Initial Procedures
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
