What is prenatal care and why is it important?

Prenatal care is the care a woman receives during her pregnancy. It is important to get early and regular prenatal care for the health of both mother and the developing baby.

Our healthcare providers recommend women take the following steps to ensure the best outcome for mother and baby:

• Take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to help prevent many types of neural tube defects. Healthcare providers recommend taking folic acid both before and during pregnancy.
• Be properly vaccinated for certain diseases (such as chicken pox and rubella) that could harm your developing baby — it is important to have the vaccinations before becoming pregnant.
• Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Get regular physical activity before, during and after pregnancy.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol or drug use before, during and after pregnancy.

If you think you may be pregnant, the physician team at Sanford is available to provide prenatal care, obstetric care and education services. Our providers and specialists will prepare you for the healthiest pregnancy possible and guide you through this important time for you and your baby.

Read More:

Exercise and Pregnancy with Kristin Hermanson, MD, FACOG

Before Baby, Preparing for Pregnancy by Meredith Kemper, MD

Thirty Something and Pregnant with Peter Van Eerden, MD, FACOG

Nutrition During Pregnancy by Peter Van Eerden, MD, FACOG

Preparing for a New Baby: Birth Plan Opens Lines of Communication with Alison Wierda-Suttle, MD, FACOG

Centering Pregnancy Group Prenatal Care with Teresa Buell, CNM

Certified Nurse Midwives Care for Moms to Be by Terry Engelmann, FNP, CNM

Certified Nurse Midwives: Discovering a Different Dimension of Care

A healthy, normal pregnancy is not an illness and does not require special treatment other than standard prenatal care. After the initial visit, during the first six months of pregnancy, you should see your doctor about once per month. Visits should be scheduled every two weeks during the seventh and eight month and weekly during the ninth month.

• In your initial visit, you will be given a complete exam, including a pelvic exam, Pap smear, breast exam and lab cultures for sexually transmitted diseases. In following visits your provider may conduct a fetal heart tone using a doppler device, or if medically indicated, an ultrasound may be ordered.
• Educational classes brought to you by The Birth Place, are dedicated to arming you with the tools to prepare you for your new bundle of joy. For a free tour of The Birth Place, call (605) 328-7140.

Centering Pregnancy Video featuring Terry Engelmann, FNP, CNM