Prenatal care is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your baby and for yourself. This type of healthcare starts very early in your pregnancy and in some cases, before you even get pregnant.
This type of care usually includes but is not limited to:
* Frequent Checkups by a Healthcare Professional w/Physical Exams
* Prenatal Multivitamin
* Nutritional Counseling for a Mom-to-be
* Laboratory Tests & Analysis
* Ultrasound to Check on the Fetus Health
* Physical Fitness (appropriate for pregnant women)
* Lamaze Classes/Birthing Classes
* and more!
I was a very young mom who got pregnant at 17 and had my first child at 17. Most teen pregnancies are not planned, but due to a chronic medical condition that I have…I had to start my family planning early.
With that said, I did not have a typical pregnancy at all. I had morning sickness 24/7 for eight entire months to the point that I had to be hospitalized several times. My nutritional intake was very poor and I had to rely on high-quality prenatal vitamins and tube feedings to get me through.
One thing I did have an issue with was taking those horse-sized standard multivitamins. They were hard to swallow and irritated my already upset gut. For me, I had to switch to the liquid prenatal multivitamin which worked like a charm!
I had a fabulous OB/GYN doctor who stood by me every step of the way. I went into his office every 3 weeks like clockwork for my physical exams, lab tests, sonograms, blood pressure checks, etc. He told me that if I was going to have a healthy baby, I had to follow everything he said to the T and I did!
When I was 8 1/4 months along in my pregnancy they decided to induce labor and my beautiful daughter was born 48 hours later. She did end up in the NICU because she was a preemie but if I had not gotten excellent prenatal care…that pregnancy could of ended in a disaster!
Just 4 years ago I became a first-time grandmother and helped my daughter obtain excellent pre-baby healthcare and let me tell you, I was blessed with a healthy, beautiful little grand daughter!
WomensHealth.gov has a lot of great information and resources on it regarding pregnancy health and how important it is to get prenatal care early in your pregnancy. I encourage you to read up on this important information and if you are not expecting a baby yourself…please pass it on!
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I am sorry for you went through and those you lost and I am sorry for Crushed’s problems too. Today on Thanksgiving I am grateful that my sons are healthy, happy and married to nice women. We can not understand God’s workings, but have to hope and pray for the best. My blessings and good wishes to all of you.
So sorry for what you had to go through. It is great that you can give great information to those who have not yet had children
MY story:
I got pregnant (by choice) at 24, after 2 years of marriage. I was an “Earth Mother” type – no drugs for MY delivery, right? During my pregnancy, I did exercise as prescribed, sat in the sun, took pre-natal vits, saw my OB/GYN regularly. I did my Lamaze praticing every night. No drinking, no smoking, no drugs. I had a long labor (30 hours of back labor!) with no meds except for Maalox, no epidural. My daughter was born 1 week after her due date. I breast-fed that baby for 2 1/2 years – I would no more give her formula than I would give her arsenic! She has cerebral palsy. No birth issues, though. Why is a mystery.
Another girl I worked with was pregnant at the same time. Her B/F was an “assistant pimp” who used cocaine regularly. She herself had NO pre-natal care – no vitamins, no OB/GYN visits at all. She lived on a diet of potato chips and beer throughout her pregnancy, and smoked 2 joints a day. When her water broke, in her 8th month, her B/F dropped her off at the lobby of a county hospital and said, “Call me when you need to be picked up – and make sure it’s a boy”.
My question: WHY did she have a healthy bouncing baby? WHY was her kid standing up in the crib at 10 months, and MINE couldn’t even turn over? Anyone know? Am I bitter? Damn right I’m bitter! Bitter, heart-broken, crushed……you name it. And no, I don’t believe that the Lord gave her to me “because He saw I’d be a great mother for a special child”. I wasn’t.
One of these days, I am going to sit down with Jesus, and ask Him…”Well? What was the point of that?” I hope He has a good answer for me. My daughter is now 34 years old, and it still hurts as much as it did back then. Pardon me for venting and perhaps ranting….. sometimes you need to get it out.
Hi Crushed
I feel your pain…I really do! I was pregnant 5 times between the ages of 17 and 21. I knew I had to have a hysterectomy by 21 years of age for a medical condition that I have. My first pregnancy at 17 was tough…but we made it through it and our daughter is here with us today 29 years later.
With that said, I had 4 more pregnancies after that time and they all ended in heartbreak. I had a still born baby girl and then 3 miscarriages. I finally had my hysterectomy at age 21 and even now, I feel empty at times for those I lost.
Like you, I feel bitter at times when I see terrible parents with a slew of children that they neglect or abuse. Then there are those of us who want kids and a lot of kids and we end up with heartbreak.
I don’t know why this happens and I wish we all lived in a different world.
Congrats to you! You have a been blessed as both a mom and a grandmother because you cared enough to do everything possible to ensure the health of your child. I simply don’t understand why everyone doesn’t do this. It is the one thing that is available at most clinics for free.
Truly a miracle birth you had lots of obstacles! I havent been PG for many years but I know they have been saying to take the viatmins even when trying to get pregnant which makes sense.
Good prenatal health is so important for the baby! Folic acid needs to be taken right away, or even before getting pregnant. I got good prenatal health and my son was delivered without any complications. It really does matter what a mother does when pregnant. I am glad to hear that your girl is doing so well.