In this week's episode of ER , Dr. Benton spends time in Mississippi practicing medicine to earn extra money. While out on house calls in a remote, rural area, he examines a pregnant woman who has received no prenatal care. Prenatal care helps prepare women for a healthy pregnancy. The following information was provided by Dr. Strobino, the Mayo Clinic, the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Prenatal care is the health care a pregnant woman receives.
Such care includes advice about your pregnancy and sets down a plan of care developed just for you. This plan generally consists of scheduled office visits, as well as advice on exercise, diet, and steps you can take to make your pregnancy and delivery a positive experience. It s never too early to begin prenatal care. Women who suspect they re already pregnant should see a health care provider right away. Certain infections, such as German measles and chickenpox, can also cause birth defects, so a woman needs to be screened for these as well.