Introduction
Staying fit and healthy is important whether you are in good health or are dealing with a difficult pregnancy. When you’re expecting, antenatal care, or ANC, is your initial point of contact with the health-care system. Antenatal Care is a type of healthcare that goes beyond maternity care. It is also known as maternity care or pregnancy care.
You’ll be scheduled to see a midwife or, in some cases, a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and birth (an obstetrician). Once you find out you’re pregnant, you should begin antenatal care as soon as possible. Here, we give you an insight into why antenatal care is important during pregnancy.
What do you understand about antenatal care?
This is the care you get while you’re pregnant to ensure you and your child are as well as could be expected.
The birthing specialist or specialist giving your antenatal care will:
- look at the strength of you and your child
- give you valuable data to assist you with having a sound pregnancy, including counsel about smart dieting and exercise
- talk about your choices and decisions for your consideration during pregnancy, work and birth
In case you’re pregnant in the UK, you will be provided with:
- Two pregnancy ultrasound filters at 8 to 14 weeks and 18 to 21 weeks
- antenatal screening tests to discover the shot at your child having certain conditions, for example, Down’s disorder
- blood tests to check for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B
- evaluating for sickle cell and thalassaemia
- You may likewise be offered NHS antenatal classes, including breastfeeding studios.
Moving ahead with antenatal care
There will be a succession of tests, treatments, scans, examinations, and discussions regarding your and your baby’s health from the first session to the last treatment.
The discussion in Antenatal care includes morning sickness (how do you deal with it?), the medications you take and their health effects (if any), the importance of a healthy lifestyle for you and your partner, and the intensity of your Discuss the medical history and your previous pregnancy to avoid complications. The healthcare provider will also track your three months of pregnancy and notify you of the due date.
If pregnancy is difficult, they will notify you and your partner of the signs of a healthy pregnancy and any related complications. They’ll provide you with a healthy diet and birth plan during the consultation, as well as blood and urine testing, genetic screening, Pap smear, ultrasound, and other tests as needed. They will monitor your weight, pressure, and increasing abdominal size to predict your baby’s growth and development.
The appointment also includes monitoring your baby’s heart rate to understand his performance and providing psychological support when you feel frustrated or anxious due to hormonal fluctuations. ANC recommends that you take nhs antenatal classes for a better pregnancy experience.
Antenatal tests and checks
You’ll be presented with many checks during your pregnancy, inclusive of blood checks and ultrasound child scans.
These are designed to:
- make your pregnancy more secure
- take a look at and investigate the improvement and wellness of you and your child
- display screen for precise conditions
Weight checks in pregnancy
You will be weighed at the time of booking but will not be weighed regularly during pregnancy. Your BMI is calculated based on your height and weight. If you are overweight, you are at increased risk of problems during pregnancy.
Understanding obesity during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you may gain 10 to 12.5 kg (22 to 28 pounds) after the 20th week. Most of the extra weight is due to the baby’s growth, but your body also stores fat to make breast milk after birth. Please visit your family doctor or midwife if you are concerned about your weight.
Antenatal care- urine tests
During the due date, you will be required to produce a urine sample. Your urine will undergo multiple tests, including protein. If you find this in your urine, it may mean you have a urinary system infection. It could also indicate preeclampsia.
Blood pressure and blood tests during pregnancy
Every prenatal check-up will include a blood pressure check. Elevated blood pressure in late pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia. On the other hand, it is common for your blood pressure to be lower in the second trimester than at other times. This is not a problem, but standing up quickly can make you drowsy. If you have concerns, please consult your midwife.
As part of prenatal care, you will undergo multiple blood tests and scans. Some are available to everyone, while others are only available when at risk of a specific infection or disease.All tests are done to make your pregnancy easier or to ensure your baby’s health, but you are not obligated to take them if you do not like to.
Nhs antenatal classes
Antenatal classes will help you through your pregnancy and prepare you to become a parent. They will allow you to discuss your childbirth options, manage your expectations for childbirth, and share any worries or fears about caring for your newborn. Experts guide prenatal courses, but they are also a good opportunity to meet other pregnant women and their partners who have the same experience as you.
The NHS offers courses taught by midwives or health professionals. These are done in hospitals, health centres or local children’s centres. If it happens in a hospital, you can get a guided tour of the workstation. NHS courses are free, but places are usually limited. Talk to your midwife or GP during the due date to find out what is available in your area.
How Nurturey helps in antenatal care during pregnancy?
This is the smartest digital upgrade of the NHS red paper book. You can manage your prenatal test schedules and receive NHS guidance with our Nurturey PinkBook tools. You can link your online GP account to Nurturey’s online NHS health services. This allows you to view both your child’s and your medical records.
You can also schedule visits with your doctor for your children, pregnancy, and family. You can also reorder medicines for yourself and your family through it. The PinkBook assists parents and pregnant women with their families and individual health requirements by providing timely warnings and access to reliable NHS assistance.
Conclusion
Antenatal care is critical to ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a healthy mother and baby at the end of the pregnancy. The antenatal care starts after conception and continues throughout the pregnancy.
