If you’re pregnant, there’s something you need to know: Regular prenatal care is essential for the health and development of your growing baby — and for your health and wellness, too. In fact, these visits are so important that the National Institutes of Health lists regular prenatal care as an essential step in ensuring a healthy pregnancy for both you and your baby.
At Harbor Community Health Centers, our team is dedicated to helping families thrive at every stage of life, starting with comprehensive prenatal care designed to support expectant mothers and their developing babies in staying healthy and safe. Here, learn how regular prenatal visits help support you and your baby during pregnancy and throughout life.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most women initiate prenatal care during the first trimester — a crucial step toward a healthy pregnancy. Yet that same report showed about a quarter of moms-to-be still receive limited or delayed prenatal care, increasing the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby.
Routine prenatal visits help identify and manage potential problems early, when treatment is most effective and outcomes are best. Through regular exams, ultrasounds, and blood tests, our team closely monitors your well-being and your baby’s health and growth, helping to prevent a range of potential complications.
Preeclampsia is a serious condition that happens when your blood pressure rises during pregnancy. Without prompt treatment, it can also cause serious complications for you and for your baby. Regular prenatal monitoring helps your provider recognize early warning signs and take steps to treat preeclampsia and reduce health risks.
While most of us know about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, many women don’t know about a third type of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, that develops during pregnancy. Just like the other forms of the disease, gestational diabetes poses significant risks to your health and your baby’s health. Prenatal visits allow us to test for gestational diabetes so it can be managed appropriately, significantly reducing the risk of complications.
Anemia happens when your body’s supply of red blood cells is unusually low. These cells play a key role in transporting oxygen to your cells and your baby’s cells, too. If you develop anemia, it can pose a direct threat to both of you. Prenatal blood tests identify signs of anemia early, so together, we can take steps to prevent complications.
Some types of infections, like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and even simple urinary tract infections (UTIs), can cause complications during pregnancy and delivery if they’re not diagnosed and treated promptly. Prenatal screenings help detect these issues early, so you can receive treatment to improve your own health and the health of your unborn baby.
Babies born with low birth weight face a myriad of health issues, including problems with their immune system, making them more prone to diseases. Routine ultrasounds and growth checks during prenatal visits help us monitor your baby’s growth and development, allowing us to take steps to support your child even before they arrive.
Finally, prenatal care also gives you a chance to discuss nutrition, physical activity, and emotional health — all essential aspects of a healthy pregnancy. In fact, every prenatal visit offers you an opportunity to build skills, ask questions, ease your concerns, and get the support you need throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
Prenatal visits protect your health and the health of your developing baby, and they also set the stage for better health throughout your child’s life.
To schedule your prenatal visit or to learn more about our prenatal and obstetric services, call 310-547-0202 to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two locations in San Pedro, California, today.
