The best preventive health care for mom and baby is prenatal care. As part of our obstetrical services, prenatal care includes providing regular check-ups that allow doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential problems throughout the course of the pregnancy. Prenatal care promotes a healthy lifestyle that benefits both mother and child. During checkups, women will receive medical information and prenatal nutrition including prenatal vitamins.
The increase in prenatal care has contributed to reducing maternal death, miscarriages and birth defects such as low birth weight and other preventable health problems. Traditional prenatal care generally consists of: monthly visits during the first two trimesters (from week 1–28), fortnightly visits from 28th week to 36th week of pregnancy, and weekly visits after 36th week until delivery (delivery at week 38–42).
OB/GYN Delivery Alternatives
You have options when it comes to maternity care. Discussing your birthing options with your health care provider will allow for you to come up with a complete birth plan that will give you the most comforting and comprehensive plan.
Birthing options include:
Hospital Birth – Most babies are born in hospitals in the United States. There may be several hospitals in you area and talking with your doctor can help you decide which is right for you.
Birth Centers – These centers advocate for natural childbirth for women with low-risk pregnancies delivering between 37 and 42 weeks, or at term. Birthing centers offer a home birth-like setting with no obstetricians or anesthesiologists on site and no capabilities to perform cesareans.
Water Birth – While not widely used in the obstetric community, water birthing is widely accepted among midwives. Most water births are done at home, but some hospitals and birthing centers offer water birthing.
Home Birth – Having a baby in a hospital isn't for everyone and for some a home birth is the best option. If complications arise there is no immediate emergency care, but those attending the mother can usually administer limited medical care.
Solace Women's Center is kind and compassionate and will work with you to make the birth of your child personalized and comfortable. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.
