Prenatal Care

Poor child births outcome cause greater mortality risks, and higher odds of poor future health. This paper will study the statistical data regarding the suggested number of prenatal case visits as considered in healthy birth outcomes. It is estimated that every year almost 4 million U.S. women give birth, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and that nearly one-third of them will experience some type of pregnancy related problems. This is primarily relevant in the U.S., which has one of the highest infant mortality rates among 18 developed nations. The lack of prenatal care for women who are unable to financially afford it, or don’t see the need of it, is mainly to blame for the thousands of low birthweight babies born in the U.S. every year.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [Office on Women’s Health] (2009), “Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birthweight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care” (p. 1). Prenatal care in the U.S. began as a preventive measure against preeclampsia, which at the time included program visits by physicians who conducted physicals, history, and risk assessments. Over the years, prenatal care has changed its focus to low birthweight and other preventive illnesses in an attempt to reduce the rate of infant mortality. Increased use of prenatal care has shown a decline in the rates of birthweight-related mortality and other preventable medical diseases such as post-partum depression and infant injuries.

For many Americans, prenatal care is a fairly simple process. You visit your doctor. He takes a urine sample, your weight and measu...

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...rition for their newborn, the benefits of breastfeeding and prevention on injuries and illnesses, monitoring for health compromising conditions, as well as help them prepare for the new emotional challenges of caring for an infant.

Prenatal care is an important part of a mother and baby’s health. It is important that a pregnant woman seek the recommended amount of prenatal care, whether she is having her first child or third. Pregnancy is one of the most key issues that a woman will deal with in her life and it is very important that it is dealt with in the proper manner.

A few key issues why prenatal care is important for women are:

* to learn about healthy behaviors during pregnancy.

* to monitor maternal and fetal well-being throughout the pregnancy

* to detect early signs of potential complications

* to provide anticipatory guidance to the woman and family