Regular prenatal care during your pregnancy is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. It is important to see a health care professional as soon as you think that you are pregnant. Prenatal care can be provided by family doctors, midwives and obstetricians.
Your first prenatal visit may be more in depth as your health care provider will want to discuss your health history, other births and pregnancies, date of your last period, your immunizations and a variety of other topics. They may do a complete head-to-toe check up including an internal exam. As well during this visit they will figure out your due date based on when you last had your period. Your health care provider may send you for a variety of routine prenatal tests to help find or predict any health concerns for you or your baby. This may include blood tests, pap test, urine test, and ultrasound. As well your health care provider will offer prenatal screening tests.
During your pregnancy you will usually see your health care provider every 4 weeks until approximately 30 weeks. After 30 weeks you will see them every two to three weeks. After 36 weeks you will see them every week or two until you go into labour.
For more prenatal care information, visit Prenatal Care - March of Dimes.
For information on prenatal care providers, visit Having a Baby - Prenatal Care - Ontario English / Français.
For more information on healthy pregnancies, and prenatal health resources and supports in Simcoe Muskoka, please contact your health care provider or speak to a public health nurse through Your Health Connection at (705) 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
