Prenatal and antenatal care

What is prenatal and antenatal care?


Prenatal and antenatal care focuses on a mother's health and her baby throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Regular health screenings can help prevent the onset of disease that may affect the mother and her baby’s health.



What can you expect at a prenatal appointment?

At your first prenatal check-up, Dr Ledwaba will conduct a physical exam, checking your blood pressure, breathing and pulse rate. Then, she will complete a breast and pelvic exam and carry out a Pap smear. STI (gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia) and HIV screening are also important at this stage. An untreated STI can pass off onto the baby, causing eye infections, pneumonia, low birth weight, brain damage, blindness, poor coordination and infection of the blood.

In addition, Dr Ledwaba will screen for diabetes, rubella, hepatitis B and anaemia. Furthermore, she will prescribe prenatal vitamins to secure a healthy, uncomplicated delivery, including folic acid, to lower the risk of cleft lip, palate, and spina bifida.


What happens during an antenatal appointment?

Antenatal care is medical care provided to you and the foetus during pregnancy. During these appointments, your doctor can determine whether a natural vaginal delivery, assisted birth through forceps or vacuum or a Caesarean section is required. Throughout these routine check-ups, Dr Ledwaba will retrieve samples of urine to be analysed in the laboratory and feel your belly to check the position of the foetus and listen to their heartbeat. These checks are critical and must be done routinely, particularly closer to the delivery date.

Within 26-36 weeks of pregnancy, it is vital to receive a vaccination to prevent the baby from getting whooping cough (pertussis). Still, you must maintain these check-ups for fourteen weeks after the delivery. Dr Ledwaba will refer you to an ob-gyn after the first prenatal and antenatal check-up for you to maintain these appointments.

After giving birth, you still need to take care of your health. Your physician will help relieve vaginal discharge and engorgement and strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles by recommending Kegels. Antenatal classes focus on pain relief, breastfeeding techniques, nutrition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preparing for a healthy delivery.


REQUEST CONSULTATION

1. Why do I need to maintain my antenatal check-ups?
Antenatal care focuses on the health of the mother and her baby. A health screening will help locate conditions such as hypertension, infectious disease and toxicity affecting the foetus.
2. When should I attend my first antenatal check-up?
6-8 weeks into the pregnancy, you can attend your first antenatal check-up. Dr Ledwaba carries out the first check-up, and after this, she will refer you to an OB-GYN for further examination.
3. When can I start prenatal care?
You can begin prenatal care as soon as you suspect the pregnancy. Your doctor will look over your medical history to check for any complications that may affect the pregnancy and intervene when necessary.