Prenatal care refers to the medical care that a woman and her fetus receive during pregnancy. It is typically provided by a physician called an obstetrician who specializes in caring for pregnant women through childbirth and the recovery period after delivery. Many obstetricians also specialize in gynecology (general women’s health care). These physicians are known as obstetrician-gynecologists (ObGyns). Prenatal care may also be provided by a certified nurse-midwife (a registered nurse with advanced training in the care of pregnant women and the delivery of babies) and, in some instances, a family practitioner. According to the March of Dimes, approximately eight out of 10 pregnant women select an obstetrician as their healthcare provider during pregnancy.

Pregnancies are typically considered “high risk” if the patient is older than age 35, carrying multiple fetuses or has a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes. In such cases, patients may be referred to a physician (perinatologist) who specializes in treating women with high-risk pregnancies.

Prenatal care is designed to monitor the progress of a woman’s pregnancy and detect any potential problems before they harm the expectant mother or baby. Approximately 4 million women give birth every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although about two-thirds of these pregnancies are free from complications, all expectant mothers should begin receiving prenatal care as early in their pregnancy as possible to better ensure their health and the well-being of the developing fetus. According to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, babies born to mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to be born at a low birthweight and five times more likely to die than those whose mothers receive prenatal care.

All women can benefit from prenatal care, regardless of their age, health status or number of previous pregnancies. In addition to the many health benefits of prenatal care, the visits also provide physicians with an opportunity to educate and counsel women about different aspects of pregnancy (e.g., physical activity, nutrition). Women can also ask questions and discuss concerns about labor and delivery and infant care.

Ideally, patients should meet with their physician for a preconception visit before becoming pregnant. During this visit, the physician may:

• Perform routine tests to confirm that the patient is in good health
  
  
• Discuss the potential impact of any existing medical conditions on the pregnancy
  
  
• Review risk factors, such as tobacco use and alcohol consumption, which may pose a risk to the baby
  
  
• Recommend that the patient begin taking a prenatal vitamin that contains sufficient amounts of folic acid, calcium and iron
  
  
• Discuss genetic testing if either the woman or her partner is a potential carrier of a significant genetic disorder

Women should schedule their first prenatal care appointment as soon as they suspect they may be pregnant. They should also make an effort to attend every prenatal care appointment thereafter, even if they are feeling fine. According to the March of Dimes, women who meet with their healthcare provider regularly during pregnancy:

• Are less likely to experience pregnancy complications
• Have a lower rate of premature delivery
• Have healthier babies

During prenatal care visits, the physician will:

• Teach the patient about pregnancy
  
  
• Monitor any preexisting health conditions (e.g., high blood pressure)
  
  
• Test for any new health conditions (e.g., gestational diabetes)
  
  
• Test for potential problems with the baby
  
  
• Provide referrals to services (e.g., childbirth education classes)

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, and patients will meet with their physician more frequently each trimester. A typical prenatal care schedule for a low-risk woman with a pregnancy that is progressing normally is as follows:

Women with chronic medical conditions and those with high-risk pregnancies may have to visit their healthcare provider more frequently.