One of the most beautiful and important stages in a woman is pregnant. However, this involves physical changes that can directly affect the health of the mother and the new being.

It is therefore important to regular monitoring by prenatal appointments involving regular and planned with the obstetrician.

Prenatal Care
Medical appointments should be performed monthly until 28 weeks, fortnightly until 36 weeks and weekly until her date of birth occurs.

During your first prenatal visit, the doctor will ask many questions and some tests. The remaining visits will usually be much shorter.

The first visit
To identify medical problems, her obstetrician:

- Talk about any medications you are taking.
- Make a physical examination and pelvic (internal).
- Will weigh, measure her blood pressure and request a urine sample.
- Make some blood tests to check for anemia and see if you have had infections.
- Ask if you want a test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
- Make a “smear” (blood test the number and shape of blood cells) smear to check for cervical cancer and have other tests for vaginal infections.
- Shall the estimated date of delivery. Most babies are born within two weeks (before or after) the scheduled date.
- Ensure that you are taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid every day.

Other tips for pregnant women
Food in Pregnancy
The mother should eat more than usual, plus rice and beans, eating meat and fish, liver, beef or pork, or, eat cheese and eggs, drink milk and soup, also eat fruits and vegetables like bananas, carrots, coconut, spinach and plantain. These foods provide calories, proteins and vitamins that the mother needs, which translates into good nutrition are contributing to a greater probability of having a healthy baby. Read the full story