Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is healthcare you get during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider checks on you and your growing baby at prenatal visits. It is important that you go to all your prenatal visits even if you feel fine. People who don't get prenatal care are at higher risk for poor pregnancy outcomes such as having a baby who is born too small or too early.
During your prenatal visits your healthcare provider will:
- Check your weight and blood pressure and baby’s heart rate.
- Perform tests such as blood work to check for infections.
- Complete ultrasounds to check on you and your baby.
- Suggest a prenatal vitamin to give you the nutrients you need to carry a healthy baby.
- Monitor your baby’s growth and confirm your due date.
- Address your questions or concerns.
Your prenatal visits will most likely be:
- Every 4 to 6 weeks during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.
- Every 2 to 3 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
- Once per week from 36 weeks of pregnancy to delivery.
Medications during pregnancy
Talk to your provider before starting, changing or stopping any medicine.
This includes prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, supplements, oils, tinctures and herbal medication. Some medicines can hurt your baby if you take them while you are pregnant.
Keep Track of Your Check-Ups
If you feel sad more often than not, it’s ok to ask for help. Talk to your healthcare provider or call your care manager. They can give you choices for ways to help manage and understand your feelings.
Download this sheet to help you keep track.
Care Managers
A care manager is a nurse, social worker or a licensed clinician. They work at your health plan and can help during your pregnancy. They can help you find resources and answer questions about pregnancy and medical care.
If you would like to speak with a care manager contact your health plan.
First Trimester To-Do List
During your prenatal visits your healthcare provider will:
- Find a provider to care for you during your pregnancy. This can be an OBGYN, midwife, family medicine doctor or other prenatal care provider. Schedule your first prenatal visit. Your health plan care manager can help you do this.
- Start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid. Some conditions may require you to take more folic acid to help prevent birth defects. Talk with your provider to find out if this is needed for you and your pregnancy.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked foods such as meat and seafood. Reduce caffeine intake to under 200 mg per day per day.
- If you smoke, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs, now is the time to quit. Talk to your provider or care manager for help getting started.
- Dental care is safe and important in pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the risk of cavities and gingivitis. If you have not seen a dentist in the past six months, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment.
- Keep a record of your blood pressure and weight from your visits. Write down your pregnancy questions before you go to your provider. To learn how to check your blood pressure, click here.
Contact your health plan’s customer service or your care manager if you have trouble finding a provider or making appointments. They can also help if you need assistance with food or transportation.
