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Prenatal Care

woman at doctor check up Prenatal care is the care you get while pregnant. You can get prenatal care from a doctor, midwife or other medical provider.

Getting prenatal care as soon as you think you are pregnant and continuing this care until the baby is born is important for the health of you and your baby.

While your baby is growing inside, your own health is very important. There are some things you need to do on your own, such as eating healthy foods, exercising, getting plenty of rest and saying “no” to alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

For other things, you need special help from a doctor, nurse or midwife who will check your health and the health of your unborn baby and identify potential problems before they become serious for you or your unborn baby.

Make an appointment as soon as you find out you are pregnant!

Don’t forget! The health of your teeth and gums affect your baby too. Take good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily. Untreated dental problems can cause complications during pregnancy so make a dental appointment early in your pregnancy to help your mouth stay healthy!

Regular Prenatal Care

Early and regular prenatal care can prevent problems in pregnancy. If you see a prenatal care provider regularly during your pregnancy, you have a better chance of having a healthy baby and are less likely to deliver prematurely or have other serious problems related to pregnancy. Learn more about getting regular prenatal care.