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Baby in the Womb What’s new and vital in prenatal care Editor’s Note: This is the first in a yearlong editorial initiative on prenatal care. Our previous series, all on our website at ocfamily.com, were diabetes, breastfeeding, and asthma. Now that I’m a mom myself, I appreciate the sacrifices my own mother made to bring me into this world. And what a different world it was for the pregnant woman! My mom followed strict doctor’s orders and carefully monitored her weight. In contrast, I ate all the ice cream I wanted and gained a whopping 40 pounds during my pregnancy. She was free to prop up her swollen ankles and unwind with a glass of red wine. That would never fly today. And my mom could only pray I had all my fingers and toes; whereas, I knew intimate details of my son’s anatomy months before he graced us with his presence. We both gave birth to healthy babies, but how we arrived at that end was very different. Over the years, prenatal care has come a long way. Medical and technological advancements lend the stork a hand in delivering healthy babies to healthy moms. And according to the 12th annual “Conditions of Children in Orange County Report,” more moms are taking advantage of prenatal care than ever before. Preparing for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting can begin months in advance of even conception, with mom hopefuls gearing up for B-day by routinely visiting their doctors, starting a prescription of prenatal vitamins and educating themselves on all things baby-related. Once the pregnancy test comes back positive, preparations kick into high gear. Diet and exercise Gone are the days when women were expected to gain less than 20 pounds during pregnancy (good news for all of us women who suffered through first-trimester morning sickness only to gorge on chocolate cupcakes in the second and third). “We are a lot more tolerant of weight gain now,” says UCI Medical Center OB/GYN Dr. K. Mark Vuchinich. “A range of 18 to 40 pounds is not unusual.” That being said, doctors, nurses and midwives still agree that using pregnancy as an excuse to overeat is not in the best interest of mom or baby. Pregnant women are advised to eat a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins. They should avoid raw foods, certain types of fish, smoked seafood, soft cheeses and unwashed vegetables. Alcohol and large amounts of caffeine are also no-nos. If exercise was a regular part of your life prior to getting pregnant, keep it up. However, you’ll probably need to modify workouts as your belly swells. On the other hand, if you’ve led a fairly sedentary life, pregnancy is not the time to train for a marathon. Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming or taking a prenatal yoga class is a great way to stay active without overdoing it. Medical advancements Improvements in imaging technology ensure that at least one of the routine 12 to 14 doctor visits most women make is unforgettable. According to Dr. Vuchinich, “The number of ultrasounds has increased. I think it’s because of patient demand and the fact that we are caring for older moms.” Though many women have multiple opportunities to view their unborn babies, one ultrasound at 4-4 1/2 months of pregnancy is still standard. At this time, doctors are able to track fetal development, view the major organ systems and determine if there are signs of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Parents are also likely to discover whether they’ll be dressing their newborns in blue or pink once they arrive. Today, doctors have more accurate tests for identifying genetic defects and can predict problems with fetal development earlier than ever before. The standard AFP, or triple marker test, which screens for Down syndrome, is gradually being replaced or supplemented with a first trimester screening performed as early as week 11. The new first trimester screening, which involves a blood test and an ultrasound, is proving to be more reliable at identifying genetic disorders. Caring for older moms Perhaps the biggest shift in prenatal care over the past few years is that doctors are caring for an increasingly more “mature” mommy population. Medical advancements have made giving birth after 35 and even 40 more routine. Older moms visit their OB/GYNs more often and are offered additional tests due to increased risks of miscarriage, gestational diabetes and various chromosome problems, including Down syndrome. One such test, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), is now being used to detect birth defects six weeks earlier than amniocentesis. Alternative care Though the majority of expectant mothers rely on their OB/GYNs to direct the course of their prenatal care, increasing numbers of women incorporate homeopathic remedies, Chinese medicine and ayurveda into their routine. Nutritional supplements, herbs, essential oils and yoga are a few of the non-conventional prenatal aids that are gaining popularity. Prenatal vitamins have become more refined over the years and contain optimum amounts of key nutrients such as iron and folic acid needed to safeguard mom’s health while promoting baby’s growth. The means and methods may have changed over the years, but the basics of prenatal care remain the same. It’s a time to be good to your body, listen to your instincts, trust a qualified doctor and prepare for what’s likely to be the most amazing event of your life. S. Danyelle Knight is a regular contributor to OC Family Magazine. |
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