1).
Once pregnant, women require routine prenatal care to help safeguard their health and the health of the fetus. Also, evaluation is often required for symptoms and signs of illness. Common symptoms that are often pregnancy-related include
Specific obstetric disorders and nonobstetric disorders in pregnant woman are discussed elsewhere.
The initial routine prenatal visit should occur between 6 and 8 weeks gestation.
Follow-up visits should occur at
About 4-week intervals until 28 weeks
2-week intervals from 28 to 36 weeks
Weekly thereafter until delivery
Prenatal visits may be scheduled more frequently if risk of a poor pregnancy outcome is high or less frequently if risk is very low.
Prenatal care includes
Screening for disorders
Taking measures to reduce fetal and maternal risks
Counseling
General reference
1. Shaw GM, O'Malley CD, Wasserman CR, et al: Maternal periconceptional use of multivitamins and reduced risk for conotruncal heart defects and limb deficiencies among offspring. Am J Med Genet 59:536–545, 1995. doi:10.1002/ajmg.1320590428
History
During the initial visit, clinicians should obtain a full medical history, including
Previous and current disorders
Drug use (therapeutic, social, and illicit)
Risk factors for complications of pregnancy (see table Pregnancy Risk Assessment)
Obstetric history, with the outcome of all previous pregnancies, including maternal and fetal complications (eg, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, congenital malformations, stillbirth)
Family history should include all chronic disorders in family members to identify possible hereditary disorders (genetic evaluation).
During subsequent visits, queries focus on interim developments, particularly vaginal bleeding or fluid discharge, headache, changes in vision, edema of face or fingers, and changes in frequency or intensity of fetal movement.
Gravidity and parity
Gravidity is the number of confirmed pregnancies; a pregnant woman is a gravida. Parity is the number of deliveries after 20 weeks. Multifetal pregnancy is counted as one in terms of gravidity and parity. Abortus is the number of pregnancy losses (abortions) before 20 weeks regardless of cause (eg, spontaneous, therapeutic, or elective abortion; ectopic pregnancy). Sum of parity and abortus equals gravidity.
Parity is often recorded as 4 numbers:
Number of term deliveries (after 37 weeks)
Number of premature deliveries (> 20 and < 37 weeks)
Number of abortions
Number of living children
Thus, a woman who is pregnant and has had one term delivery, one set of twins born at 32 weeks, and 2 abortions is gravida 5, para 1-1-2-3.
Physical Examination
A full general examination, including blood pressure (BP), height, and weight, is done first. Body mass index (BMI) should be calculated and recorded. BP and weight should be measured at each prenatal visit.
In the initial obstetric examination, speculum and bimanual pelvic examination is done for the following reasons:
To check for lesions or discharge
To note the color and consistency of the cervix
To obtain cervical samples for testing
Also, fetal heart rate and, in patients presenting later in pregnancy, lie of the fetus are assessed (see figure Leopold maneuver).
Pelvic capacity can be estimated clinically by evaluating various measurements with the middle finger during bimanual examination. If the distance from the underside of the pubic symphysis to the sacral promontory is > 11.5 cm, the pelvic inlet is almost certainly adequate. Normally, distance between the ischial spines is ≥ 9 cm, length of the sacrospinous ligaments is 4 to ≥ 5 cm, and the subpubic arch is ≥ 90°.
During subsequent visits, BP and weight assessment is important. Obstetric examination focuses on uterine size, fundal height (in cm above the symphysis pubis), fetal heart rate and activity, and maternal diet, weight gain, and overall well-being. Speculum and bimanual examination is usually not needed unless vaginal discharge or bleeding, leakage of fluid, or pain is present.
Testing
Laboratory testing
Prenatal evaluation involves urine tests and blood tests. Initial laboratory evaluation is thorough; some components are repeated during follow-up visits (see table Components of Routine Prenatal Evaluation).
If a woman has Rh-negative blood, she may be at risk of developing Rh(D) antibodies, and if the father has Rh-positive blood, the fetus may be at risk of developing erythroblastosis fetalis. Rh(D) antibody levels should be measured in pregnant women at the initial prenatal visit and again at about 26 to 28 weeks. At that time, women who have Rh-negative blood are given a prophylactic dose of Rh(D) immune globulin. Additional measures may be necessary to prevent development of maternal Rh antibodies.
Urine is also tested for protein. Proteinuria before 20 weeks gestation suggests kidney disease. Proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation may indicate preeclampsia.
Generally, women are routinely screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks using a 50-g, 1-hour test. However, if women have significant risk factors for gestational diabetes, they are screened during the 1st trimester. These risk factors include
Gestational diabetes or a macrosomic neonate (weight > 4500 g at birth) in a previous pregnancy
Unexplained fetal losses
A strong family history of diabetes in 1st-degree relatives
A history of persistent glucosuria
Body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2
Polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance
If the 1st-trimester test is normal, the 50-g test should repeated at 24 to 28 weeks, followed, if abnormal, by a 3-hour test. Abnormal results on both tests confirms the diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
Women at high risk of aneuploidy (eg, those > 35 years, those who have had a child with Down syndrome) should be offered screening with maternal serum cell-free DNA.
In some pregnant women, blood tests to screen for thyroid disorders (measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]) are done. These women may include those who
Have symptoms
Come from an area where moderate to severe iodine insufficiency occurs
Have a family or personal history of thyroid disorders
Have type 1 diabetes
Have a history of infertility, preterm delivery, or miscarriage
Have had head or neck radiation therapy
Are morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2)
Are > 30 years
Ultrasonography
Most obstetricians recommend at least one ultrasound examination during each pregnancy, ideally between 16 and 20 weeks, when estimated delivery date (EDD) can still be confirmed fairly accurately and when placental location and fetal anatomy can be evaluated. Estimates of gestational age are based on measurements of fetal head circumference, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length. Measurement of fetal crown-rump length during the 1st trimester is particularly accurate in predicting EDD: to within about 5 days when measurements are made at < 12 weeks gestation and to within about 7 days at 12 to 15 weeks. Ultrasonography during the 3rd trimester is accurate for predicting EDD to within about 2 to 3 weeks.
Specific indications for ultrasonography include
Investigation of abnormalities during the 1st trimester (eg, indicated by abnormal results of noninvasive maternal screening tests)
Risk assessment for chromosomal abnormalities (eg, Down syndrome) including nuchal translucency measurement
Need for detailed assessment of fetal anatomy (usually at about 16 to 20 weeks), possibly including fetal echocardiography at 20 weeks if risk of congenital heart defects is high (eg, in women who have type 1 diabetes or have had a child with a congenital heart defect)
Detection of multifetal pregnancy, hydatidiform mole, polyhydramnios, placenta previa, or ectopic pregnancy
Determination of placental location, fetal position and size, and size of the uterus in relation to given gestational dates (too small or too large)
Ultrasonography is also used for needle guidance during chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, and fetal transfusion. High-resolution ultrasonography includes techniques that maximize sensitivity for detecting fetal malformations.
If ultrasonography is needed during the 1st trimester (eg, to evaluate pain, bleeding, or viability of pregnancy), use of an endovaginal transducer maximizes diagnostic accuracy; evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy (gestational sac or fetal pole) can be seen as early as 4 to 5 weeks and is seen at 7 to 8 weeks in > 95% of cases. With real-time ultrasonography, fetal movements and heart motion can be directly observed as early as 5 to 6 weeks.
Other imaging
Conventional x-rays can induce spontaneous abortion or congenital malformations, particularly during early pregnancy. Risk is remote (up to about 1/million) with each x-ray of an extremity or of the neck, head, or chest if the uterus is shielded. Risk is higher with abdominal, pelvic, and lower back x-rays. Thus, for all women of childbearing age, an imaging test with less ionizing radiation (eg, ultrasonography) should be substituted when possible, or if x-rays are needed, the uterus should be shielded (because pregnancy is possible).
Medically necessary x-rays or other imaging should not be postponed because of pregnancy. However, elective x-rays are postponed until after pregnancy.
Treatment
Problems identified during evaluation are managed.
Women are counseled about exercise and diet and advised to follow the Institute of Medicine guidelines for weight gain, which are based on prepregnancy body mass index (BMI—see table Guidelines for Weight Gain During Pregnancy). Nutritional supplements are prescribed.
What to avoid, what to expect, and when to obtain further evaluation are explained. Couples are encouraged to attend childbirth classes.
Diet and supplements
To provide nutrition for the fetus, most women require about 250 kcal extra daily; most calories should come from protein. If maternal weight gain is excessive (> 1.4 kg/month during the early months) or inadequate (< 0.9 kg/month), diet must be modified further. Weight-loss dieting during pregnancy is not recommended, even for morbidly obese women.
Most pregnant women need a daily oral iron supplement of ferrous sulfate 300 mg or ferrous gluconate 450 mg, which may be better tolerated. Woman with anemia should take the supplements twice a day.
All women should be given oral prenatal vitamins that contain folate 400 mcg (0.4 mg), taken once a day; folate reduces risk of neural tube defects. For women who have had a fetus or infant with a neural tube defect, the recommended daily dose is 4000 mcg (4 mg).
Physical activity
Exercise during pregnancy has minimal risks and has demonstrated benefits for most pregnant women, including maintenance or improvement of physical fitness, control of gestational weight gain, reduction in low back pain, and possibly a reduction in risk of developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. Moderate exercise is not a direct cause of any adverse pregnancy outcome; however, pregnant women may be at greater risk of injuries to joints, falling, and abdominal trauma. Abdominal trauma can result in abruptio placentae, which can lead to fetal morbidity or death.
Most experts agree that exercise during pregnancy is safe and can improve pregnancy outcomes (eg, reduced excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes [1]).
Sexual intercourse can be continued throughout pregnancy unless vaginal bleeding, pain, leakage of amniotic fluid, or uterine contractions occur.
Travel
The safest time to travel during pregnancy is between 14 and 28 weeks, but there is no absolute contraindication to travel at any time during pregnancy. Pregnant women should wear seat belts regardless of gestational age and type of vehicle.
Travel on airplanes is safe until 36 weeks gestation. The primary reason for this restriction is the risk of labor and delivery in an unfamiliar environment.
During any kind of travel, pregnant women should stretch and straighten their legs and ankles periodically to prevent venous stasis and the possibility of thrombosis. For example, on long flights, they should walk or stretch every 2 to 3 hours. In some cases, the clinician may recommend thromboprophylaxis for prolonged travel.
Immunizations
Vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella should not be used during pregnancy.
Although the COVID 19 vaccine has not been specifically evaluated in pregnant women, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that COVID-19 vaccines not be withheld from pregnant women who meet the criteria for vaccination based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended priority groups. Various COVID 19 vaccines have received authorization for emergency use from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as listed on its Emergency Use Listing. (See also the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 vaccination.)
Because pregnant women with Rh-negative blood are at risk of developing Rh(D) antibodies, they are given Rh(D) immune globulin 300 mcg IM in any of the following situations:
After any significant vaginal bleeding or other sign of placental hemorrhage or placental abruption
After a spontaneous or therapeutic abortion
After amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling
Prophylactically at 28 weeks
If the neonate has Rh(D)-positive blood, after delivery
Modifiable risk factors
Pregnant women should not use alcohol and tobacco and should avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
They should also avoid the following:
Exposure to chemicals or paint fumes
Direct handling of cat litter (due to risk of toxoplasmosis)
Prolonged temperature elevation (eg, in a hot tub or sauna)
Exposure to people with active viral infections (eg, rubella, parvovirus infection [fifth disease], varicella)
Women with substance abuse problems should be monitored by a specialist in high-risk pregnancy. Screening for domestic violence and depression should be done.
Drugs and vitamins that are not medically indicated should be discouraged (see Drugs in Pregnancy).
Symptoms requiring evaluation
Women should be advised to seek evaluation for unusual headaches, visual disturbances, pelvic pain or cramping, vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, extreme swelling of the hands or face, diminished urine volume, any prolonged illness or infection, or persistent symptoms of labor.
Multiparous women with a history of rapid labor should notify the physician at the first symptom of labor.
Treatment reference
1. Syed H, Slayman T, Thoma KD: ACOG [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists] Committee Opinion No. 804: Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. 2020. PMID: 33481513. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004266
