Pregnancy and Prenatal Care in Houma & South Louisiana

You're going to have a baby! It's an exciting time, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. You may have a lot of questions, including what you can do to give your baby a healthy start. Taking care of your health while you're pregnant will help your fetus develop into a healthy baby. To do that, it's important to:

• Have regular visits with your health care provider. During prenatal care visits your provider checks your health and carefully monitors your pregnancy until you deliver a healthy baby. And if there are any health problems, your provider can find them early. Getting treatment right away can cure many problems and prevent others.
• Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Good nutrition during pregnancy includes eating a variety of:
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Lean meats or other protein sources
  • Low-fat dairy products
• Take prenatal vitamins. During pregnancy, you need higher amounts of certain vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and iron.
• Be careful with medicines. Always check with your provider before you start or stop any medicine. This includes over-the-counter medicines and dietary or herbal supplements.
• Stay active. Physical activity can help you stay strong, feel and sleep better, and prepare your body for birth. Check with your provider about which types of activities are right for you.
• Avoid substances that could hurt your baby, including alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

Your body will keep changing as your fetus develops until your baby is ready to be born. It can be hard to know whether a new symptom is normal or could be a sign of a problem. Check with your provider if something is bothering or worrying you.

Prenatal care is the health care you get while you are pregnant. It includes your checkups and prenatal testing. Typically, a health care provider specializing in the delivery of babies and the care of pregnant women, such as an obstetrician or a midwife, provides prenatal care.

Prenatal care can help keep you and your fetus healthy until you're ready to deliver your baby. It lets your provider spot health problems early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others from developing.

Every prenatal visit offers you the chance to ask questions about having a healthy pregnancy and preparing for delivery. Talk to your provider about childbirth education classes for you and your partner to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.

Your provider will give you a schedule for your prenatal visits. Usually, visits during your pregnancy occur:

• Once a month for weeks 4 through 28
• Twice a month for weeks 28 through 36
• Weekly for week 36 until your baby is born

If you are over 35 years old or your pregnancy is high risk because of health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, your provider will probably want to see you more often. You can also expect to see your provider more often as your due date gets closer.

During prenatal visits, your provider will check your health and carefully monitor your pregnancy until you deliver your baby.

Your first prenatal visit may take a little longer. Your provider will most likely:

• Ask about your health history, including prior pregnancies
• Ask about your family's health history
• Discuss any health conditions and risk factors that could affect you or your fetus
• Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap test
• Review blood, urine, or other routine prenatal lab tests
• Check your blood pressure, height, and weight
• Discuss a healthy amount of weight gain, healthy eating, and prenatal vitamins
• Figure out your due date (when you are 40 weeks pregnant)

During most visits, your provider will most likely:

• Check your blood pressure and weight gain
• Measure your abdomen (belly) to check fetal growth once you begin to show
• Check the fetal heart rate
• Check your hands and feet for swelling
• Do routine prenatal tests

Depending on the stage of your pregnancy, you may have additional tests.

Always talk to your provider before you start or stop any medicine. Some medicines can harm your fetus. To help keep yourself and your fetus healthy, avoid substances that could be harmful, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health