Prenatal Care: Health Care During Pregnancy

Prenatal care is health care you get when pregnant. It helps you and your unborn baby stay as healthy as possible. It is important to start prenatal care early in your pregnancy and continue to go to visits during your pregnancy.

Prenatal care may be given by a midwife, a family practice doctor, a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or a childbirth and pregnancy doctor.

What are the benefits of prenatal care?

In prenatal care, your health care provider will get to know your medical history. You’ll be checked for conditions that might affect you and your baby. Prenatal care will:

  • Lower the risk for problems as your child grows
  • Lower certain risks for your baby, especially the risk that:
  • Your child may be born early
  • Your child will have a low weight at birth

What can I expect at the first prenatal care visit?

  • Your first visit will likely be the longest. You should ask to be seen as soon as you know you’re pregnant. The first visit is a good time to talk about any questions or concerns. Make a list of questions to ask your provider at your visits.
  • At your visit, you and your provider will talk about your medical history, including:
    • Your family’s medical history and the medical history of the baby’s father
    • Any past pregnancies and long-term (chronic) health conditions
    • Any surgeries or procedures you have had
    • All the medicines you’re taking. Tell them if you’re taking herbs or supplements too
    • Any tobacco, alcohol, or drug use
    • Other problems that may harm you and your baby. Tell them if:
      • You need food or housing
      • You have been around chemicals or radiation
      • Your partner yells at you, hits you, or hurts you

Tests and screenings

Your provider will complete a physical exam, including a pelvic and breast exam. And run tests to check for: 

  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Anemia, or low iron levels in your blood
  • Blood type and certain proteins on red blood cells called Rh antibodies
  • Infections and immunity to viruses, such as hepatitis B and rubella
  • HIV

Ask your provider if you need to be checked for genetic diseases.

Tips about staying healthy

Your provider will also give you information about how to keep yourself and your baby healthy, including:

  • Nutrition, vitamins, and food safety
  • Physical activity
    • How to treat some problems, such as morning sickness
  • How to avoid infections and substances that may harm your baby
  • Caring for your teeth
  • Work and travel
  • Problems that require you to call your provider

How often will I have prenatal care visits?

After your first prenatal care visit, you will have regular visits throughout your pregnancy. You may visit your provider as follows:

Up to week 28 of pregnancy: once every 4 weeks
28–36 weeks: once every 2 weeks
After 36 weeks: every week until delivery

Some people may have more visits. Others may have fewer. It all depends on your health and that of your baby. Keep all prenatal visits. This is one way for you and your baby to stay as healthy as possible.

What happens during routine prenatal care visits?

Your provider will:

  • Check your weight and blood pressure
  • Check your baby’s heart sounds
  • Ask questions about your diet, exercise, sleeping patterns, and whether you can feel the baby move
  • Tell you problems to watch for during your pregnancy, including signs of labor
  •  Measure the height of your uterus in your belly. This is called fundal height

Ask about any pregnancy symptoms you’re having and how you’re dealing with them. Tell your provider if:

  • You throw up or feel like you may throw up
  • You have discharge or you bleed from your vagina
  • You have trouble pooping (constipation)
  • You have swelling, headaches, or trouble seeing
  • You are very tired, or you feel sad and anxious all the time
  • You have discomfort, including back pain or pain in the pelvis

What tests might I have during prenatal care visits?

You may have blood, urine, and imaging tests. These may include:

  • Urine tests to check for blood sugar, protein, or signs of infection.
  • Genetic testing
  • Ultrasounds to check your baby’s growth, development, and well-being. Your baby may also be checked for congenital conditions
  • Glucose tests to check for gestational diabetes. This is a form of diabetes that a person can get when pregnant
  • A test to check for group B strep (GBS) infection

What else can I expect during prenatal care visits?

Your provider may give you some vaccines. Getting certain vaccines during pregnancy can protect your baby after birth. These may include:

  • Flu shot
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine.
  • COVID-19 vaccine
  • RSV vaccine

Later in your pregnancy, your provider may talk to you about:

  • Childbirth and childbirth classes
  • Breastfeeding and breastfeeding classes
  • Birth control after your baby is born

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Pregnancy Resource Guide

McLeod Health Certifications
Baby Friendly USA Hospital
Recognized hospitals promoting breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding
Website: www.babyfriendlyusa.org

General Pregnancy & Women’s Health Resources

Prenatal Resources in South Carolina

  • Pregnancy Resource Center – Offers resources, education, and assistance to pregnant women, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, support services, and optional counseling https://carolinapregnancy.org

Finding a Midwife/Doula for Pregnancy/Labor Support

First-Time Mother Resources

Breastfeeding & Lactation Resources

Food & Nutrition / Safe Formula Preparation

Child Resources / Car Seat & Safe Sleep

Domestic Violence & Mental Health