Importance of Prenatal Care
February, 2019 | Northside Woman Magazine | NorthsideWoman.com | By Nuria Nelkin, CNM
Pregnancy is a beautiful part of the life cycle and
most pregnancies progress healthily and safely
during pregnancy and birth. Although this is a
normal process, it is also a whole new world of feelings
and physical changes. Prenatal care helps educate
and guide women and their families through these
changes. Some pregnancies will have higher risk issues
or develop problems that will best be identified and
managed by routine prenatal care. Prenatal screening
tests can identify a host of issues and help determine
if there needs to be interventions to help maintain the
pregnancy and keep the pregnancy healthy for both
mom and baby. At every visit we are always screening
to make sure that woman have normal symptoms, labs,
and vital signs. We evaluate and intervene when there
are problems, and we refer to a higher level of care,
when necessary, to ensure women get the best and most
appropriate care possible.
Even when everything is progressing with no concerns, prenatal care is the best place to learn about safe and healthy recommendations of lifestyle, diet, supplements, medications and ways to help with discomforts of pregnancy. We also are there to help you adjust to the huge transition of growing your family. Pregnancy is not only a great physical change, but also a huge mental and emotional change for a woman and her family, whether preparing for first time parenthood or adding to one's family. Navigating this with a knowledgeable team helps this transition be easier.
Getting to know your team over the course of several months helps you form a relationship of mutual trust with your providers. This helps us know you and your individual needs. Our goal is to work with you as a team to help you take care of yourself and your baby, having the healthiest pregnancy and birth possible.
