Prenatal care is the comprehensive care that women receive throughout their pregnancy. It is an important part of making sure that the mother and baby are as healthy as possible. Regular prenatal visits gives the mother a chance to ask questions, be informed about the pregnancy, and also allows the doctor to keep a close watch on the progress of the fetus throughput the pregnancy. Women who begin prenatal care early in their pregnancies have better pregnancy outcomes.

Most pregnancies proceed normally, but there are some risks. Assessing these risks is an essential part of prenatal care. Prenatal care is not just medical care. It includes childbirth education, counseling, and providing support for the family. Prenatal care includes periodic regular visits to the doctor, good nutrition, regular physical activity, awareness and monitoring of the warning signs, and avoidance of unhealthy substances.

The first prenatal visit will...