Medical Care During Pregnancy

Ideally, a couple who is thinking of having a baby should see a doctor or other health care practitioner to discuss whether pregnancy is advisable. Usually, pregnancy is very safe. However, some disorders can become severe during pregnancy. Also, for some couples, the risk of having a baby with a hereditary disorder is increased.

As soon as a couple is thinking of having a baby, the woman should start taking a multivitamin that contains folate (folic acid) once a day. The lowest amount recommended for women of childbearing age is 400 micrograms, but some experts recommend taking slightly higher amounts, such as 600 or 800 micrograms. Such doses are often available in over-the-counter products, such as multivitamins. Folate reduces the risk of having a baby with a birth defect of the spinal cord or brain (neural tube defect). Women who have had a baby with a neural tube defect should start taking a much larger amount than usually recommended: 4,000 micrograms as soon as they start thinking of having another baby. Doses of 1,000 micrograms or higher are available only with a prescription.

Did You Know…

Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant should start taking a multivitamin that contains folate (which helps prevent certain birth defects) rather than waiting until they are pregnant.

If the couple decides to try to have a baby, they and the doctor discuss ways to make the pregnancy as healthy as possible. The woman should ask the doctor about factors that could impair her health or the health of the developing fetus.

Factors or situations to avoid include the following:

Using tobacco or alcohol
Being exposed to secondhand smoke, which may harm the fetus
Having contact with cat litter or cat feces unless the cats are strictly confined to the home and are not exposed to other cats (such contact can transmit toxoplasmosis, an infection by a protozoan that can damage the fetus’s brain)
Having contact with people who have rubella (German measles) or other infections that can cause birth defects
Having contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles unless the woman has had a test that shows she has had chickenpox and is immune to it

Chickenpox and shingles are caused by herpes viruses. During delivery, these viruses can be spread to the fetus and cause severe illness. The virus can also cause pneumonia, which is occasionally severe, in the woman.

Knowing about and dealing with such factors before pregnancy may help reduce the risk of problems during pregnancy. In addition, the woman can discuss her diet and her social, emotional, and medical concerns with the doctor.

When a woman sees a doctor or another health care practitioner before she is pregnant, she can be given any needed vaccines, such as the rubella vaccine. If she is not already taking folate, doctors can prescribe prenatal multivitamins that contain the recommended daily amount (RDA) of folate or a larger amount of folate if the woman has had a baby with a neural tube defect. If needed, genetic screening can be done to determine whether the woman and her partner are at increased risk of having a baby with a hereditary genetic disorder.

First examination

After pregnancy is confirmed, the woman should have a physical examination, preferably between 6 and 8 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the length of the pregnancy can be estimated and the date of delivery can be predicted as accurately as possible.

Doctors ask about disorders the woman has and has had, drugs she taken, and details about previous pregnancies, including problems that occurred such as diabetes, miscarriages, and birth defects.

The first physical examination during pregnancy is very thorough. It includes the following:

Measurement of weight, height, and blood pressure
Examination of the ankles for swelling
Pelvic examination: During this examination, the doctor notes the size and position of the uterus.
Blood tests: A sample of blood is taken and analyzed. Analysis includes a complete blood cell count, tests for infectious diseases (such as syphilis, hepatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), and tests for evidence of immunity to rubella and chickenpox (varicella). Blood type, including Rh factor status (positive or negative), is determined.
Urine tests: A sample of urine is taken, cultured, and analyzed.
Papanicolaou (Pap) test or a variation of it: Samples of tissue from the cervix are taken to check for cancer of the cervix.
Test for sexually transmitted diseases: Immediately after the Pap test, another sample of tissue from the cervix is taken to test for sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydial infection.

Other tests may be done, depending on the woman’s situation. Thyroid hormone levels may be measured in some women (such as those with who have had a thyroid disorder, diabetes, infertility, or miscarriage).

If the woman has Rh-negative blood, it is tested for antibodies to the Rh factor (see Rh Incompatibility). The woman’s immune system produces these antibodies when her Rh-negative blood comes in contact with Rh-positive blood—for example, in a previous pregnancy with a fetus who has Rh-positive blood. The antibodies (called Rh antibodies) may destroy blood cells in a fetus with Rh-positive blood, causing severe problems (even death) for the fetus. If antibodies in a pregnant woman’s blood are detected early, the doctor can take measures to protect the fetus. All women with Rh-negative blood are given Rh(D) immune globulin, injected into a muscle, at 28 weeks of pregnancy. They are also given an injection after any possible contact between their blood and the fetus’s blood—for example, after an episode of vaginal bleeding or amniocentesis and after delivery. Rh(D) immune globulin reduces the risk that the fetus’s blood cells will be destroyed.

Did You Know…

Things to avoid during pregnancy include tobacco, second-hand smoke, drugs, alcohol, cat litter and feces, and contact with people who may have chickenpox or shingles.

During the flu season, all pregnant women should get a flu shot.

Women of African descent are tested for sickle cell trait or disease if they have not been tested previously. Skin tests for tuberculosis are advisable for all women.

Follow-up examinations

After the first examination, a pregnant woman should see her doctor as follows:

Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy
Then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks
Then once a week until delivery

At each examination, the woman’s weight and blood pressure are usually recorded, and the size of the uterus is noted to determine whether the fetus is growing normally. The woman’s ankles are examined for swelling.

Doctors check the heartbeat of the fetus. It can usually be detected at about 10 to 11 weeks with a handheld Doppler ultrasound device. Once a heartbeat has been detected, doctors check it at each visit to determine whether it is normal.

At each visit, urine is tested for sugar. Sugar in the urine may indicate diabetes. If the urine contains sugar, a blood test to check for diabetes is done as soon as possible. Even if the urine does not contain sugar, doctors usually test all women for the type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). This blood test is done at 24 to 28 weeks. It measures the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood 1 hour after women drink a liquid that contains a certain amount of glucose—called a glucose tolerance test. If women have risk factors for gestational diabetes, this test is done early in the pregnancy, preferably before 12 weeks.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes include the following:

Severe overweight (weighing more than 250 pounds)
Gestational diabetes or a large baby (weighing 10 pounds or more) in a previous pregnancy
An unexplained miscarriage in a previous pregnancy
First-degree relatives (such as mothers or sisters) with diabetes
A history of having sugar in the urine over a long period of time
Polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance

If results of the initial test are normal, these at-risk women are retested at 24 to 28 weeks.

At each visit, the urine is also tested for protein. Protein in urine may indicate preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy).

If women have a high risk of conceiving a baby with a genetic disorder, prenatal diagnostic testing can be done.

Ultrasonography

Most doctors believe that ultrasonography, the safest imaging procedure, should be done at least once during a pregnancy to make sure the fetus is normally formed and to verify the expected date of delivery. It is usually done between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

For the procedure, a device that produces sound waves (transducer) is placed on the woman’s abdomen. The sound waves are processed to form an image that is displayed on a monitor. Sometimes, particularly during early pregnancy, the doctor uses an ultrasound device that can be inserted in the vagina. Ultrasonography produces high-quality images, including live-action images that show the fetus in motion. These images provide the doctor with useful information and can reassure a pregnant woman.

Ultrasonography can also be used to do the following:

Show the fetus’s beating heart and thus confirm that the fetus is alive, as early as 5 weeks of pregnancy
Identify the sex of the fetus, as early as 14 weeks of pregnancy
See whether a woman is carrying more than one fetus
Identify abnormalities, such as a mislocated placenta (placenta previa) or an abnormal position of the fetus
Date the pregnancy and thus help determine whether the pregnancy is progressing normally
Identify birth defects (sometimes)
Check for evidence of Down syndrome (and some other disorders) by measuring the fluid-filled space near the back of the fetus’s neck (called nuchal translucency)
Guide the placement of instruments during certain procedures, such as prenatal diagnostic testing

Toward the end of pregnancy, ultrasonography may be used to identify premature rupture of the fluid-filled membranes containing the fetus. Ultrasonography can provide information that helps doctors decide whether cesarean delivery is needed.

Other imaging

X-rays are not routinely taken during pregnancy, but they can be taken safely when necessary. If an x-ray is required, the fetus is shielded by placing a lead-filled garment over the woman’s lower abdomen to cover the uterus.

Immunizations

Experts recommend that all pregnant women be vaccinated against the influenza virus during the influenza (flu) season.

Pregnant women can be given the hepatitis B vaccine if needed.

Experts recommend a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) after 20 weeks of pregnancy (preferably at 27 to 36 weeks) or after delivery, even if the shots are up-to-date.

The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and varicella vaccine should not be given during pregnancy.

Medicines during pregnancy

Prescription medicines

If you take any prescribed medicines, you should talk to your doctor when you are planning to become pregnant or as soon as you think you are pregnant.

It is very important to continue taking medicines that have been prescribed for health problems such as asthma, diabetes, depression and epilepsy.

Many women are worried about the effects that medicines may have on their unborn baby, and may stop taking them, but this can lead to health problems for the mother, which is also not good for the baby.

Your doctor will be able to tell you if your medicine is suitable to use during pregnancy, or if there is a different medicine that may be safer.

Non-prescription medicines

Before you take any type of medicine when you are pregnant, check with your pharmacist, midwife or doctor to find out if it is safe to use. Many products that you buy from the pharmacy, health food store or supermarket may not be safe for use during pregnancy.

Some products that are generally safe include:

Painkillers
- Paracetamol alone or with codeine is safe, but check the reason for pain with your midwife, doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not take aspirin and other pain relief medicines such as ibuprofen. (Doctors may sometimes prescribe low dose aspirin (100mg per day) for some health problems.)
Treatments for morning sickness
- There are many drugs for nausea and vomiting available that are believed to be safe in pregnancy including Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) and several prescribed medicines (such as prochlorperazine and metoclopramide).
- Always consult your doctor or a pharmacist before taking them.
Cough and cold medicines
- Some may be safe, but always check with a pharmacist. Nasal sprays may be a good option for short term use.
Herbal medicines
- Many herbal medicines may not be safe during pregnancy, so check with a pharmacist.
Laxatives
- It is okay to use products that contain psyllium , but avoid products containing senna – except if advised to use them by a doctor.
Acne treatments
- Most non-prescription acne treatments that you use on your skin are safe – but check with a pharmacist.
- One prescribed oral acne medication (Isotretinoin) that is used for severe acne has a high chance of causing birth defects. You should very carefully use contraceptive methods when using this drug (your doctor will have been very clear about this). If you become pregnant while taking this medication stop the treatment immediately and call your doctor.
Vitamins and minerals
Folic acid – it is recommended that all women who are planning to become pregnant, and women who are in their first 3 months of pregnancy, take folic acid tablets to help lower the risks of some birth defects. You do not need a prescription to get these tablets, and they are safe during pregnancy.
Iron and calcium – it is often recommended that pregnant women take extra iron and calcium, and these are safe in normal doses.
Iodine – many pregnant women do not get enough iodine in their diet. Speak to your doctor about taking an iodine supplement. Many pregnancy multivitamin and mineral supplements contain iodine.
Other vitamins and minerals – a well balanced diet should supply you with the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy.

Alcohol during pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, no alcohol is the safest choice

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm a baby

Alcohol crosses the placenta to the developing baby
The alcohol will reach the developing baby very quickly and its blood alcohol level will be the same as yours
Alcohol can cause permanent harm to a developing baby at any stage during the pregnancy
Alcohol can affect the baby’s body and in particular the baby’s brain development
You can’t see the brain and you might not know if the baby is OK or not until the child is older.

What if I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?

Often pregnancy is unplanned and women drink alcohol before they know they are pregnant.

Small amounts of alcohol consumed before you are aware of your pregnancy carry a lower risk but are still a risk
Heavy or binge drinking carries a higher risk for the baby

If you can, stop drinking alcohol as soon as you find out you are pregnant. If not, talk to your midwife or doctor.