What prenatal care is actually for
Three jobs, and only some of them need a visit.
Prenatal care does three things. It screens for problems that can be treated if found early, mainly high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, infection and problems with the baby's growth. It gives you information so you can make decisions. And it builds a relationship with the people who will look after you in labor.
Most visits find nothing. That is not a failure. Screening works by testing many people to find a few. But it does mean that a great deal of what happens at a routine visit is precautionary rather than necessary, and you are allowed to ask which is which.
A question worth asking at any visit"Is this test or this appointment looking for something specific in me, or is it what everyone gets?" Both answers are legitimate. The point is knowing which one you are hearing.
Covered in the essential classes
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More from Before and at the start
This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you. If you are worried about a symptom now, see urgent warning signs.