Pregnancy Care: Importance, Benefits and Pregnancy Complications

The doctor may also do a physical exam including a pelvic exam to monitor the size and shape of the uterus (womb) and a Pap smear test to check for any abnormalities in the cervix. The doctor will do a urine and blood test during the first prenatal. Future prenatal visits include tests to inspect for diabetes of pregnancy, anemia and other serious health conditions that may complicate the pregnancy. Some females may also be suggested to get urine tests at each visit to check for sugar and protein levels in the urine. Without prenatal visits, the infant is at a risk for multiple complications including preterm birth (birth of the baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy), which is one of the major causes of infant death. Also, babies born too early before the due date are more susceptible to chronic illnesses which affect the lungs, heart, brain, and immune system. In the United States alone, 1 in 10 infants are born prematurely Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of preterm birth. This factor is one of many reasons why prenatal care is so important. With regular checkups, the doctor can keep an eye and monitor any harmful developments which may be harmful for the female and the infant.