A healthy diet and lifestyle during pregnancy
is important for the development of a healthy
baby, and may have long-term beneficial
effects on the health of the child. It is
also important for a pregnant woman to have
regular checks with a midwife throughout
pregnancy, to ensure that any conditions
that may pose a risk to the baby’s
health can be identified and treated.
Treatment
Screening during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you may be referred for
various tests: some are recommended for
all pregnant women and are to check the
baby’s or the mother’s health;
others are for women who have certain risk
factors or health concerns. Your midwife
or doctor can help you and your partner
decide what is best for you and your baby,
and also understand the purpose, risks and
benefits of each test.
You can decline to
have these tests, but they do provide information
that helps you deliver a healthy baby. If
you need it, genetic counseling is available.
This will help you make decisions if you
have a disorder that might be passed to
your baby and the risks involved.
The tests may be done
at your GP surgery, the local clinic or
at the hospital antenatal department. Tests
may include:
- rhesus (Rh) typing
(Rh-negative may receive an injection
after delivery to protect their next baby
from anaemia);
- HBV testing (if
the mother has HBV, which causes hepatitis
B, treatment after birth can prevent the
baby from contracting the virus);
- HIV testing (if
the mother has HIV, treatment can reduce
the baby’s chances of being infected);
- other blood tests
to identify the mother’s blood group,
or check for other conditions –
such as syphilis, anaemia or sickle cell
trait - that can affect the baby, or immunity
to rubella;
- cervical smear
test (to check for cervical cancer, gonorrhoea
or chlamydia;
- urine tests (to
check for infections and blood sugar problems).
Ultrasound
Ultrasound can provide
an accurate view of your baby and its placenta.
It is considered quite safe for both of
you. It may be used to:
- determine the size
and age of your baby;
- check the position
of the baby and placenta;
- check for physical
problems in the baby or placenta;
- determine a multiple
birth;
- aid other diagnostic
tests.
AFP Tests Alpha-fetoprotein
test screens for certain brain abnormalities,
spina bifida and sometimes (with the triple
plus test) for Down’s Syndrome.
Blood sugar screening
test
This checks for gestational
diabetes, which can develop in the mother
during pregnancy and usually disappears
after birth. Untreated, it can lead to serious
harm to the baby.
Amniocentesis
This is recommended
for women over 35, who have a family history
of certain genetic disorders or who have
a positive triple plus, AFP or other test
results.
Chlorionic Villus
sampling (CVS)
This is similar to
amniocentesis but is used to detect problems
earlier in pregnancy.
At present there are
no set guidelines on testing for genetic
defects in unborn babies. However, in April
2001 it was announced that screening for
Down’s syndrome, cystic fibrosis and
hearing impairment is to be made available
to all pregnant women by 2004.
Facts
The average weight
gain in pregnancy is 10kg to 15kg (22lb
to 33lb). This is not a time to try to lose
weight, or prevent weight gain. However,
the old adage of ‘eating for two’
no longer holds true - the calorie requirements
of a pregnant woman should only increase
by around 300 calories per day. It is quality,
rather than quantity, that matters.
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Antenatal Care
