ANTENATAL VISTS

Periodic checks during the antenatal period along with blood and urine tests, help in monitoring the pregnancy and ensure safety of the mother and the baby. 

Ultrasound scan of the uterus can show the progress of the baby’s development. The 3-D reconstruction can show the shape of the baby and make it look very real. 

 THE FIRST VISIT
 © Weight - Your weight will be taken and weight gain checked regularly at each visit. Majority of women gain about 8-12 kgs during their pregnancy.   During the first three months there is usually very little weight gain and you will put on only 1-2 kgs.  In the next six months however, you should expect to put on a little less than ½ kg a week. This is approximately how the weight gain might be distributed at the end of the pregnancy:
  • Amniotic fluid-1 kg 
 Baby’s weight – 3 k
  • Blood – 2 kg 
• Breasts – 2 kg
 • Mother’s body fat (stored for use during breast-feeding period) – 2 kg
  • Placenta – 1 kg  
• Uterus – 1 kg 
If you find that you are losing weight during the first trimester you shouldn’t be alarmed. This is generally because of the vomiting due to Morning sickness. However if you gain a lot of weight suddenly, you should consult your doctor. The cause of this could be several factors from fluid retention to signs of pre-eclampsia.

  © Blood Pressure – Your Blood pressure will be checked at every visit from the time you are pregnant.  The average blood pressure during this time should be 120 over 70. (Blood pressure may vary as it is also dependent on the age of the mother.) 

© Urine Test – During your first antenatal check up, a sample of urine will be asked. You will be instructed to collect a mid-stream sample. For this you will be required to pass the fist few drops of urine into the toilet bowl and then collect some midstream urine into a sterile container. You can then finish urinating into the toilet.  Doctors will ask the mother to bring a morning sample of urine at every antenatal check- up to ensure a healthy mother and baby.  The urine test is done to examine a few things:
 • Sugar (for evidence of diabetes)
 • Protein (for evidence of pre – eclampsia or urinary tract infection)  
• Pus cells ( to rule out urinary tract infection)

  © Blood Test – A standard routine of prenatal blood tests are carried out on all pregnant women. A blood sample will be taken and tested. This is to check for:  (1) Blood Group and Rhesus (Rh) Antibodies – A blood test is carried out to determine your blood group, which could be A, B or O and your Rhesus (Rh) blood group ( positive or negative). This is partly for the records, in case a transfusion should ever be needed. If the lab finds you Rh Negative you will be tested for Rh compatibility with your baby.  If the child as seen in the picture is Rh positive and the mother Rh negative this can cause rhesus disease.  During the first pregnancy the chances of any problems occurring due to this for the baby are small. However, in case the baby’s Red Blood Cells pass through into the mother’s system during labor then her body will respond by producing anti-Rhesus antibodies. She now becomes Rh Sensitized and carries these antibodies in her immune system for life.  During the mother’s second pregnancy, these anti-Rhesus antibodies will attack and destroy the blood cells of her next Rhesus positive baby. This can cause jaundice, hemolytic disease or mild to possible fatal anemia.  To ensure the safety of future pregnancies, an Anti-D injection (Rh immune globulin) will be given within 48 hours of the birth of the 1st  baby.  The Mother can become Rh sensitized usually when the baby’s RBC cross into the mother's system via the placenta. It can also happen –
   • Through a fall or accident,
   • An amniocentesis procedure
   • During a miscarriage
   • Elective abortion, or ectopic (tubular) pregnancy 
  • After delivery when the placenta is removed