American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - You and Your Baby: Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Care

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This is EB005 in ACOGs Patient Education Booklet Series.

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to womens health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. For ACOGs complete disclaimer, visit www.acog.org/WomensHealth-Disclaimer .

Copyright May 2021 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-948258-53-1

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Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Care

right away. You also may need to make lifestyle changes that can give your baby a healthy start in life.

Prenatal care includes regular health care visits and childbirth education. Prenatal visits allow your ob-gyn to monitor your health as well as that of your fetus. You can discuss any questions or concerns you may have and learn more about your pregnancy. You will have regular appointments throughout your pregnancy.

Your first or second prenatal care visit will probably be one of your longest visits. Your ob-gyn will need to ask a lot of questions about your health and do several tests. Its important to answer all questions honestly and with as much detail as you can. During these early visits, your ob-gyn may

• ask about your health history, including past pregnancies, surgeries, or medical problems
• ask about any prescription and over-the-counter medications youre taking (bring them with you, if possible)
• ask about the health history of your family and the babys father
• do a complete physical exam with blood and urine tests
• do a
• measure your blood pressure, height, and weight
• calculate the babys

In recent years, telehealth has become more available as a form of health care. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, telehealth has been a safe way for people to get health care without going to an office. But telehealth also is a good choice for people who need to travel long distances to see a doctor. In some cases, telehealth can be used to reduce the number of in-person visits needed during pregnancy. But keep in mind that if your ob-gyn thinks it would be better for you to be seen in person, you may be asked to schedule an office visit.

To visit with your ob-gyn using telehealth, you need a phone, computer, or tablet. If your visit is just by phone, you and your doctor will speak on the phone like any typical phone call. If your visit is through a video connection, your ob-gyns office will give you instructions for how to download and use a video app on your smartphone, computer, or tablet. With a video connection you and your ob-gyn will see each other on screen.

Because most women know when their occurred, and because babies typically are born 40 weeks later, ob-gyns usually count pregnancy from the first day of your LMP. The day your baby is due is called the EDD.

Your EDD can be calculated by counting 280 days from the first day of your LMP. In some cases, there are better ways of estimating your due date than using your LMP. Your ob-gyn may use an to calculate your EDD if

• you are not sure of the first day of your LMP
• your periods are not regular
• you were using hormonal birth control when you got pregnant
• your are very short or very long