Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category
A newly married couple may find it difficult to handle pregnancy because of the lack of knowledge. When a couple plans on having a baby and the woman decides on getting pregnant, they must be equipped with the proper knowledge to be able to go through the entire length of pregnancy with minimal health risks. If you feel some of the early symptoms, such as frequent urination, breast tenderness and enlargement, morning sickness, mood changes and overwhelmed emotions, you may already be pregnant. If you often feel all of these pregnancy signs, it is a big possibility that you are pregnant.
The first thing that you and your partner need to do to confirm pregnancy is to consult your doctor. Your doctor will do an evaluation and may order a pregnancy test to check whether you are pregnant or not. The first type of pregnancy test that will be performed is the test for the presence of the pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG. Testing for hCH can be done in two ways, through testing your urine or your blood. The blood test can determine both the presence and amount of hCG.
Prenatal care is extremely important for any expectant mother. It’s one of the easiest ways to do your part to ensure that you and your baby have a safe nine month journey, and an even safer delivery. Part of prenatal care includes frequent visits to your doctor and a number of standard tests. Here’s a quick overview of what expectant mothers can expect during their prenatal care.
During your initial visit to your doctor you’ll have all the routine testing you would get at any other doctor visit. Weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are all taken. These readings will serve as your baseline that your doctor will use throughout your pregnancy. You’ll also have additional testing.
You’ll be asked to give a urine sample that will test for levels of protein, and sugar, and most doctors request a blood test be taken. The blood will determine your blood type, and it will be tested for low red blood cell count, hepatitis B, and a number of other conditions. It will also be tested to see if you’re immune to German measles and Chickenpx.
You’ll also have a Pap smear which can test for sexually transmitted diseases. What’s STD’s got to do with your baby? Some STDs can prove to be harmful to your developing baby. Your doctor will gently scrape the opening of your uterus for the Pap smear. It’s a tad uncomfortable, but it’s a standard test for all expectant mothers.
At each subsequent visit your urine will be tested as a way to determine if you are developing gestational diabetes. Your weight and blood pressure will also be checked regularly. As your pregnancy progresses you’ll be asked to undergo other tests as well.
You will have your first ultrasound by your 20th week of pregnancy. The results will show the growth and development of your baby, as well as how much amniotic fluid is surrounding your baby. You may have additional ultrasounds as well. If you are in a high risk category, you could be asked to have bi-weekly or weekly ultrasounds as your due date draws near.
You may also be asked to have an amniocentesis test performed as well. This is a test in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted from your womb, and then tested for chromosomal disorders which may indicate conditions such as Down syndrome, neural tube defects and spina bifida.
If something is detected as a result of these tests, and other tests, your doctor may be able to make adjustment in your prenatal care that will allow you to have a safe and uneventful delivery. The results can also prepare you for what you should expect when the big day arrives.
Prenatal care is a critical part of every expectant mother’s medical care. Testing can serve to alert your healthcare provider that something may be wrong, and it can give both expecting parents the reassurance that everything is running smoothly, and that baby is doing well.
Trudi Buck blogs about how to obtain an online ultrasound tech degree.