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Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is vital in ensuring the healthy growth and development of your baby. Regular visits to your health care provider aim to monitor your baby’s progress and identify any potential problems before they become serious. Women who receive prenatal care have healthier babies and are less likely to deliver prematurely or have pregnancy-related problems.
Prenatal care should begin as soon as possible and usually includes monthly doctor’s visits. These visits should become more frequent as the pregnancy progresses, and include a complete physical exam, blood and urine samples and answers to your questions. Your doctor may measure your uterus, take ultrasounds and perform several other routine tests to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.
Postpartum Care
After childbirth, both mother and baby usually require special care for a certain amount of time. This care may come right after delivery while still in the hospital and through treatments and doctor’s visits in the following weeks. A woman’s body goes through several physical and emotional changes after childbirth and your doctor can provide support for these changes.
The effects of pregnancy and childbirth can include:
- Vaginal soreness and discharge
- Trouble urinating
- Hemorrhoids
- Sore and leaking breasts
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- Hair loss
- Skin changes
- Mood changes (postpartum depression)
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A full physical exam is usually performed six weeks after the birth, at which time you can ask your doctor questions and share any concerns you may have.
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