Prenatal care is focused on recognizing and preventing problems that can complicate pregnancy. For example, pregnant women are screened for many disorders, including
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Rh(D) blood incompatibility (which can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn)
- Urinary bacteria
- Genetic variations that could result in birth defects
- Chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus
- Preeclampsia
- Placental and fetal abnormalities (using ultrasonography)
(See also Medical Care During Pregnancy.)
Before (if possible) and during pregnancy, women are given folate (folic acid) to prevent birth defects. Often during pregnancy, women also are given iron to prevent anemia. They are counseled to stop using tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy.
