{"id":773,"date":"2019-03-18T22:14:03","date_gmt":"2019-03-18T22:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dr-hanan.com\/ws\/ar\/?p=773"},"modified":"2021-03-07T23:43:01","modified_gmt":"2021-03-07T23:43:01","slug":"antenatal-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dr-hanan.com\/ws\/en\/antenatal-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Antenatal Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Antenatal Care<\/strong><\/p>

You need to visit your doctor as below:<\/strong><\/p>

– Every 4<\/strong> weeks in the first 28<\/strong> weeks of your pregnancy.
– Every 2-3<\/strong> weeks from week 29<\/strong> to week 36<\/strong> of your pregnancy.
– Every week from week 37<\/strong> until the end of your pregnancy.<\/p>

The total number of visits is often 8<\/strong> visits if the pregnancy is without complications.<\/p>

(Numbers of visits can change depending on pregnancy complications).<\/p>

The following is done in each visit in all trimesters:<\/strong>
– Measuring mother’s blood pressure and weight.
– Checking baby’s position, growth, movement and hear rate.
– Urine test for protein and sugar (preeclampsia, diabetes and infection).<\/p>

The first visit: (Ideally before week 10)<\/strong>
– Checking mother’s medical history such as twins birth, defects and chronic diseases like diabetes, and medical condition.
– Discussing nutrition and vitamins needed during pregnancy.
– Lab tests for HIV, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis .
– Lab tests for blood type RH and Hemoglobin level.
– Pelvic and abdominal examination.
– Due date estimation.
– Ultrasound examination.
– Ensuring that the mother had Pap test.
– Making sure to quit smoking.
– Test of vitamin D might be offered.<\/p>

First trimester – Second visit:<\/strong>
– Ultrasound check for fetal heart rate.
– Diagnosing chromosomal anomalies such as Down syndrome by blood test or ultrasound (optional), specially in pregnancy in advanced age or family history with the syndrome.<\/p>

Second trimester (week 13 to week 26):<\/strong>
– Monitoring fetal growth by measuring the uterus height.
– Monitoring fetal heart rate and movement.
– Ultrasound for baby’s anatomy evaluation, by week 20<\/strong>. It can help to show the gender too if requested.
– Check for any physical complaints from the mother such as swelling in hands and feet.
– Blood test for blood count, iron level (anemia) and glucose level for gestational diabetes<\/a><\/span>.
– Cervical length measurement.<\/p>

Third trimester (from week 27 till the end of pregnancy):<\/strong>
– Examination for the general health of the mother.
– Discussing any signs such as contractions, headache, leakage or bleeding.
– Test for group B streptococcus. Around week 36<\/strong>.
– Checking the frequency of fetus movement.
– Non-Stress Test to check fetal heart beat rate if indicated.
– Making sure that fetus position is head down.
– Tests for anemia and gestational diabetes.
– Ultrasound to check the location of the placenta.
– Measuring cervix dilation.
– Anti D injection might be given if the mother is RH negative. (To read more: Rh Factor and Pregnancy<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>

Other tests:<\/strong><\/p>

There are some tests done to detect chromosomal or genetic abnormalities with the fetus such as Down syndrome if requested by the parents.<\/p>