- Good nutrition
and health habits before and during pregnancy
- Frequent
prenatal examinations to detect early problems
- Routine
ultrasounds to detect fetal abnormalities and
problems
- Routine
screening for:
- Sexually
transmitted diseases
-
Rubella
immunity
- Blood type
problems (Rh and ABO)
-
Diabetes
- Genetic
disorders -- if there is a family history or
the age of the mother indicates the need
- Blood
pressure abnormalities
-
Urine protein
Women who choose
to have an
abortion usually do so in the very early
stages of the pregnancy (usually before 12 weeks
gestation). Abortion is legal through the 24th
week of pregnancy. The abortion procedure,
however, becomes more difficult with advancing
gestational age, and many providers do not
perform pregnancy terminations in the second
trimester.
Women who plan to
continue a pregnancy to term need to choose a
health care provider who will provide prenatal
care, delivery, and postpartum services.
Provider choices in most communities include:
- physicians
specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)
- certified
nurse midwives (CNMs)
- some family
practice physicians
- some family
nurse practitioners (FNPs) or physician
assistants (PAs) who work in conjunction with
a physician