Pregnancy and Childbirth Care

Regular pregnancy care protects the health of the mother and the baby, and finds any problem early, when it is easier to treat. Good care starts before pregnancy and continues until after delivery.

Before pregnancy

• Folic acid, 400 micrograms a day, from at least a month before pregnancy until the end of the third month, to prevent neural tube defects.
• Controlling chronic conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure and thyroid disease before pregnancy.
• Reviewing your medications with the doctor.

The key scans

• 6 to 9 weeks: confirming the pregnancy is inside the uterus, the heartbeat and the number of babies, and dating the pregnancy accurately.
• 11 to 14 weeks: nuchal translucency (NT) measurement with early screening tests, to assess the chance of some chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome.
• 18 to 22 weeks: the detailed anomaly scan, to assess the baby's organs and growth.
• Third trimester: checking the baby's growth, the amniotic fluid and the position of the placenta, with Doppler when needed.

Important tests

• Blood count, blood group and Rh factor.
• Urine test, and viral screening as needed.
• A glucose tolerance test, usually between weeks 24 and 28, to detect gestational diabetes.
• Blood pressure checks at every visit, to detect preeclampsia early.

Signs to contact us about right away

• Vaginal bleeding.
• A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face and hands.
• A clear drop in the baby's movements.
• Fluid leaking from the vagina.
• Severe abdominal pain.

Delivery

The type of delivery, natural or cesarean, is discussed according to the condition of the mother and the baby, following the scientific evidence. After delivery there is a follow-up visit to check the mother's health and to discuss breastfeeding and family planning.