Prenatal care

We have all seen pregnant women before. These pregnant women visit the hospital a lot for prenatal care. So what is prenatal care? Well, let’s start with pregnancy before we move to prenatal care definition

What Is Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a period in which the fetus develops inside a woman’s womb and becomes a baby. 

Human pregnancy lasts around 9 months.These 9 months are divided into trimesters. A trimester is three months. There are three trimesters or segments of a pregnancy. Each trimester has its characteristics as the fetus develops. 

Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Here are a few signs and symptoms of pregnancy:

• Missed menstrual period: during pregnancy, a pregnant woman will miss her monthly menstrual period. This occurs throughout the nine months of pregnancy.
• Increased urination: during the pregnancy period, a pregnant woman will want to urinate very often. This happens because of the extra amount of blood in your body. The kidney produces extra fluid too that is excreted as urine. 
• Tender and swollen breasts: during the pregnancy period, the breasts become tender, sore, and sensitive. This is due to a lot of hormones in the body. It is very visible during the first few months. It reduces as the pregnancy progresses.
• Nausea: during the pregnancy period, a pregnant woman will have nausea. This is also morning sickness. This is very frequent during the first two months of pregnancy. It can occur in the morning or night. Sometimes it also comes with vomiting. 
• Fatigue: During the pregnancy period, sleepiness and fatigue are very common. This is due to the increase of some hormones like progesterone in the body. It is more often in the second and third trimesters.
• Nasal congestion: this is a minor sign of pregnancy. With all the hormones and blood production increasing, the mucous membrane in the nose swells. This will cause a runny or stuffy nose. 
• Bloating: a very common sign of pregnancy is bloating. 
• Moodiness: during pregnancy, women tend to be very emotional and sentimental
• Sensitivity: during pregnancy, the senses of a pregnant woman are keener. She is more sensitive to the environment. This is also caused by hormonal changes.

What Is Prenatal Care?

Prenatal care is the care that is given to a pregnant woman and her child before the delivery of the baby. 

This care includes injections, check-ups, exercises, dieting and so much more. The care given to her also involves advice on what she should do, such as eating, working, and other normal activities. 

This care changes as the pregnancy progresses from one trimester to another.

Importance Of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care can not be overemphasized. There are many important reasons for it. They are:

1. Prenatal care reduces complications during childbirth.

2. It enlightens the mother on how to care for herself and her baby.

3. Through tests and check-ups likely problems are detected early.

4. It prevents problems like premature or deformed children.

5. It equips the mother on what to do in case of emergency (I.e. early labor).

6. When mothers attend prenatal care often, it reduces their fear and worry and gives them a platform to ask questions and get factual information.

7. It offers immunization to mothers to keep the baby free from diseases and infections.

8. It helps them keep track of the baby’s development.

Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is the occurrence of pregnancy between the ages of 13 to 19. It is also Adolescent pregnancy and it is more rampant in developing countries.

Teenage pregnancy is not supported because the body is not mature enough to carry and nurse the baby no matter their physical structure. They are also not emotionally ready for pregnancy or caring for a baby. 

Resources and support from family members are lacking for the young girls to bear alone. Most of them are not even registered for prenatal care.

The Lack of Prenatal Care In Teenage Pregnancy

The lack of prenatal care in teenage pregnancy can lead to the following effects:

1. Complications during childbirth

2. There are high chances of loss of the lives of mother and/or child

3. There is a risk of transmission of infections or diseases

4. It can lead to premature pregnancy

5. It can have negative effects on the baby like infections, high chances of mortality, stunted growth, and so on.

6. The mother has little or no information on what to do or how to take care of herself.

Note that: Pregnancy is a period where the fetus grows inside a woman’s womb. It is usually 9 months. Prenatal care is given to a pregnant woman before she puts to bed. Prenatal care is the care given to a woman before she gives birth. It reduces complications and enlightens the mother on how to take care of herself and her child.

Conclusion

It is necessary to care for the mother of the child and the child to avoid complications during and after birth. This is the reason why prenatal care was initiated by hospitals.Teenage pregnancy is very delicate not only because of the age of the girl but because she is often neglected and this means that there is an absence of prenatal care and general welfare of both her baby and her.