Pregnancy Counseling and Important Things in it
Pregnancy consultation is a routine checkup procedure during pregnancy to check the condition and development of the fetus in the womb .
The period of pregnancy is a time when the embryo is formed, grows, and develops in the woman's womb as a result of fertilization between the egg and sperm. Embryos will continue to develop until the shape of the fetus within 36-40 weeks. To ensure that the mother and fetus in the womb are healthy, routine consultation and pregnancy is required.
In addition, pregnancy consultation is very important because it has several goals, among others:
- Checking conditions and monitoring fetal development in the womb
- Reducing the risk of complications that may occur in pregnant women and the fetus in the womb.
- Detect abnormalities or disorders that may occur in the fetus early.
- Simplify pregnant women during pregnancy
- Streamline labor and reduce the risk that endanger the mother and fetus during labor
Physicians specializing in prenatal care are called obstetric and gynecologist (Sp.OG) specialist doctors, or commonly called obstetricians.
Indications of Pregnancy Consultation
Very late pregnancy consultation d It is recommended to be done by every pregnant mother from the beginning to the end of pregnancy. The consultation schedule is generally done according to the pregnant women's age, which is:
- 1 time in 1 month for 4-28 weeks' gestational age.
- 2 times in 1 month for gestational age 28-36 weeks.
- 4 times in 1 month (every week) for 36 weeks' gestation until labor.
In addition, there are some conditions that require the mother get pregnant for more frequent pregnancy consultations from the recommended schedule. Among these are:
- Aged & gt; 35 years.
- High-risk pregnancies. If a woman is considered susceptible to certain complications during pregnancy, for example people with diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Pregnancy twins
- History of premature birth. If a pregnant woman has experienced premature birth or premature birth signs during pregnancy.
Before Pregnancy Consultation
There are several things that need to be prepared by pregnant women prior to the pregnancy consultation, including:
- The overall health history. The first pregnancy consultation will usually review the history of maternal disease as a whole, including the partner's medical history and also family. Pregnant women should carry all previous examinations, such as X-rays, laboratory test results, and other investigations (CT scan or MRI).
- Type of medication or herbal products that are or have been consumed. Pregnant women should carry a list of drugs, including vitamins and supplements, that are being consumed. This is because some types of drugs are not safe for consumption during pregnancy.
- Questionnaire. Before undergoing a pregnancy consultation, pregnant women should make a list of questions about things to know about pregnancy . Sort the questions starting from the most important.
Pregnancy Consultation Procedures
The types of pregnancy consultations and checks performed during pregnancy may vary depending on age content.
- Consultation of 1st trimester pregnancy (0-12 weeks). In the first trimester of pregnancy, the type of examination performed, among others:
- Medical history checks. The doctor will ask some questions and determine the day of birth estimation (HPL). HPL determination allows the physician to monitor the growth and development of the patient's pregnancy, and determine the timetable of consultation and inspection procedures to be performed in the future. Meanwhile, the types of questions to ask include:
- Menstrual cycle.
- Previous pregnancy history.
- Medical history of patients and family of patients.
- Types of medicines that are being consumed, including prescription drugs and supplements.
- The lifestyle that patients undergo, including smoking or alcohol consumption.
- Physical check. This check is performed to check and ascertain the condition of the patient's body healthy during early pregnancy. Types of checks include:
- Measurement of patient's height and weight, so that the doctor can determine the ideal body mass index according to progression of pregnancy.
- Examination of vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
- Pelvic examination. The doctor will perform a pelvic exam by inserting two fingers into the vagina and one hand on the abdomen to determine the size of the patient's uterus and pelvis.
- Laboratory examination. Obstetricians will also instruct patients to undergo a blood test and urine test with the aim:
- Check blood type, including ABO and resus (Rh).
- Measure the amount of hemoglobin. Low hemoglobin count is an anemic sign and if left to jeopardize the development of fetal conditions in the womb.
- Check your immune system against certain infections, such as
and chicken pox. - Detects possible exposure to infections in pregnant women, such as hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV.
- Imagery. The type of imaging test performed during the first trimester pregnancy consultation is USG. The type of ultrasound may be a pelvic ultrasound or a transvaginal ultrasound, with the aim of:
- Helps confirm gestational age.
- Detect problems that pregnant women may have.
- Detect abnormalities on the fetus.
- Hear the fetal heartbeat in the womb (when the pregnancy is 10-12 weeks).
- Medical history checks. The doctor will ask some questions and determine the day of birth estimation (HPL). HPL determination allows the physician to monitor the growth and development of the patient's pregnancy, and determine the timetable of consultation and inspection procedures to be performed in the future. Meanwhile, the types of questions to ask include:
- 2nd trimester pregnancy consultation (13-28 weeks). The purpose of pregnancy consultation in 2nd trimester is to ensure pregnant women and fetus are healthy. Types of checks performed during the 2nd trimester pregnancy consultation, among others:
- Basic examination. Obstetricians will measure the blood pressure and weight of pregnant women. The doctor will also ask for any complaints that may be experienced during pregnancy.
- Examination of the condition of the fetus. These checks generally include several things, including:
- Checking fetal development. The examination is done by measuring the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus.
- Hearing fetal heartbeat. Fetal heart rate check is performed using Doppler instrument
- Observing fetal movement. When entering 20 weeks' gestation, pregnant women usually begin to feel the movement of a push or a small kick. The obstetrician will check the fetal movement.
- Prenatal test. During the second trimester, the obstetrician will encourage pregnant women to undergo some tests, such as:
- Blood tests. The blood test is again performed to calculate the number of blood cells and iron levels, detect symptoms of diabetes that may develop during pregnancy, and detect possible infections.
- Urine test. The urine sample is used to detect the presence of a protein or mark of infection.
- Genetic examination. This test is performed using blood samples to detect any genetic abnormalities that may occur in the fetus, such as Down syndrome and spina bifida.
- Fetal ultrasound. This type of ultrasound is done to help the doctor evaluate the anatomy of the fetus and to know the sex of the fetus.
- Diagnostic test. If the results of a blood or ultrasound test show signs of high-risk pregnancies, your doctor may advise pregnant women to undergo diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis. The aminosentesis procedure is performed by taking a sample of amniotic fluid from within the uterus for subsequent research in the laboratory.
- Consultation of 3rd trimester pregnancy (28- 40 weeks). Types of checks performed during the 3rd trimester pregnancy consultation, among others:
- Basic check up. Obstetricians will measure back the blood pressure and weight of pregnant women, and monitor the movement and fetal heart rate in the womb. Urine tests are also re-done to detect proteins or infections.
- Examination of the fetal position. By the end of pregnancy, the obstetrician will estimate the fetal weight and observe the fetal position. Is the fetal head already at the door of the uterus. If the position of the fetus's bottom is near the door of the uterus (sungsang), then the obstetrician will try to change the position of the fetus by pressing the abdomen of pregnant women to normal birth still be done. Streptococcus Group B (GBS). This type of bacteria is commonly found in the gut as well as the lower genital tract, and is usually harmless for adults. However, if the infant is infected with this bacteria during labor, it can experience serious health problems. The doctor will take the sample by rubbing the bottom of the vagina with cotton to be analyzed in the laboratory. If the test results positive for GBS, pregnant women will be given antibiotics by intravenous during labor.
- Cervical examination. When pregnant women are getting closer to labor, obstetricians will perform pelvic examinations to detect changes cervix. At this stage, the condition of the cervix will begin to soften, dilate, and thin. By the time of delivery, the cervix will open, and the opening is expressed in cm size.
After Pregnancy Consultation
After pregnant women undergo consultation and examination of pregnancy, gynecologist will review result of physical examination, result of laboratory test, and result of investigation which have been done. From these results, the obstetrician can know several things:
- The condition of pregnant women and the fetus in the womb. Through consultation and examination, obstetricians can determine the health of pregnant women and fetuses , detect any abnormalities that may be experienced, and preventive measures that can be taken if pregnant women undergo high-risk pregnancies.
- Early examination tests or screening. If the fetus is at risk for an abnormality, the obstetrician may perform several diagnostic tests to confirm the condition of the fetus in the womb. Among these are:
- Amniocentesis or infant chromosome examination
- Fetal blood sampling (FBS) or fetal blood sampling from the umbilical cord
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or sampling of chorionic villus cells from the placental section by using a special needle.
In addition to regular consultation and pregnancy check-ups, there are several things that pregnant women can do to keep their body and fetus healthy in the womb, including:
- Taking vitamin folic acid regularly every day.
- Do not smoke or consume alcoholic beverages.
- Routine exercise or physical activity that is
- Eat nutritious foods, such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains , and foods high in calcium.
- Increase fluid intake.
- Get enough rest.
- Avoid soaking in a hot tub ( hot tub ) or sa una.
- Find out information about pregnancy and childbirth, from books, videos or online ( online ).
- Avoid exposure to chemicals, such as insecticides, solution (paint or cleanser), lead, and mercury.