Overview

Taking good care before, during and after pregnancy cannot be compromised at any cost. This ensures a healthy child as well as a healthy mother. It can help the baby grow and ensures that the baby gets a head start for a healthy lifestyle.

During this period, the first and most important step to take is to choose a provider who will walk you through the whole process. They will help you with the prenatal, delivery as well as postpartum period. Ideally, it’s best to take a doctor’s guidance when trying to become pregnant.

Depending on your trimester, visiting the doctor as per instructions is a must. Certain things to take care of while you are pregnant:

• Important tests such as blood count tests, blood group tests, HIV, and a urine collection among many others.
• First trimester ultrasounds to determine the date of pregnancy and queries regarding the menstrual cycle.
• Screening tests for diseases, generally done between 11 to 14 weeks.
• A morphology ultrasound, which is recommended usually between 18 to 20 weeks to examine the baby and the placenta.
• Getting a gestational diabetes test, especially for women over 35, ones who are overweight or ones who have a genetic history of diabetes. This test is usually done around the 20th week.
• Blood tests to check if the baby has anaemia or not.

What to expect during pregnancy:

• Changes in skin and hair growth and quality.
• Backaches, leg pain and lower abdominal aches.
• Problems while sleeping
• Morning sickness
• Vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy