Pregnancy is a life-changing experience that requires proper care and attention. Prenatal care is an essential aspect of this experience, and it offers a wide range of benefits to you and your growing child. Regular prenatal care can help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, improve maternal and fetal health, and ensure a safe delivery. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of prenatal care and answer some common questions to help you navigate your prenatal care journey.
What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is medical care that pregnant women receive from healthcare providers, such as our medical team at RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics. This care typically includes regular check-ups, medical tests and screenings, and nutritional consultations to ensure that both mother and child are healthy throughout the pregnancy. Prenatal care starts early in pregnancy and continues until the baby is born.
What are some of the benefits of prenatal care?
It reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Prenatal care can help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia. These conditions can cause serious health problems for both you and the baby. With regular prenatal care, a qualified provider can often identify any potential issues early on. This care can help prevent complications from becoming more severe and ensure that you and your little one remain healthy throughout the pregnancy.
It improves maternal and fetal health.
Regular prenatal care can also improve maternal and fetal health. Your provider can offer advice on healthy lifestyle choices, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management. This can help improve your overall health and reduce the risk of preterm labor and low birth weight. Additionally, your provider can monitor the baby’s growth and development, identify any development concerns, and provide direct treatment or referrals as needed.
It provides emotional support.
Pregnancy can be a stressful and emotional time, and prenatal care can provide emotional support for expectant mothers. During prenatal care at RealOptions, we offer guidance and support, answer questions and concerns, and provide resources to help expectant mothers cope with the challenges of pregnancy. This can help reduce stress and anxiety and further promote a healthy pregnancy!
It provides education.
Another great reason to get regular prenatal check-ups is that it gives you an opportunity to learn more about what’s happening inside your body and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions or express any concerns you might have. From learning how to prepare for childbirth to understanding what symptoms could be cause for concern, having access to this information can help make sure you feel prepared when the big day comes!
What should I expect during my first prenatal care visit at your clinic?
At RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics, we strive to make each prenatal care visit as comfortable and convenient as possible. During your appointment, you will meet with our Nurse Practitioner who will take the time to get to know you and your medical history. She will also perform a physical exam, run any necessary tests or screenings, and answer any questions you may have about your pregnancy or parenting. We understand that this can be an emotional time for many expectant mothers, so we strive to provide compassionate care in a safe and supportive environment.
How often do I need to attend prenatal care visits?
Prenatal care visits should occur on a regular basis throughout the course of your pregnancy. Your first visit should be around 8 to 10 weeks after your last period. The frequency of visits will depend on recommendations by your provider as well as any potential health concerns that arise during the pregnancy. Typically, expectant mothers should plan to attend prenatal care appointments every 4-6 weeks until week 28, every 2-3 weeks from week 28 to 36, and then weekly from there until delivery. It is important to keep all of these appointments for the best possible outcomes for both you and your baby.
Medi-Cal for California Residents.
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, and it provides low-cost or free healthcare to eligible California residents. Medi-Cal covers a wide range of healthcare services, including prenatal care. This means that expectant mothers who qualify for Medi-Cal can receive the necessary medical care to ensure a healthy pregnancy, regardless of their income or ability to pay.
RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics is a Medi-Cal provider, which means our services are covered by Medi-Cal plans. Our clinics offer the following prenatal care services:
- Routine prenatal check-ups
- Medical tests and screenings
- Lab work (via Quest Diagnostics)
- Ultrasounds
- Nutritional counseling
- Prescription medications
- Pregnancy education
To be eligible for Medi-Cal, California residents must meet certain income and residency requirements. Pregnant women who meet these requirements can apply for Medi-Cal and receive the necessary medical care to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If you are unsure if you qualify for Medi-Cal coverage, there are a few simple ways to find out if you are eligible:
- Contact MCAP at (800) 433-2611.
- Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
- Apply online at CoveredCA.com. via email with a confirmation or notification for the best available time.
Wrapping Up.
Prenatal care is an essential aspect of a healthy pregnancy. Regular prenatal care can help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, improve maternal and fetal health, ensure a safe delivery, and provide emotional support for expectant mothers. If you are pregnant, it is important to seek prenatal care early on. With the right care and support, you can have a healthy and successful pregnancy. Schedule an appointment at one of our clinics if you’re ready to get started with quality prenatal care!
Oakland Location
400 30th St #401
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 891-9998
Redwood City Location
801 Brewster Ave Unit 21
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 261-9115
San Jose Locations
1671 The Alameda #101
San Jose, CA
(408) 978-9310
12 N White Rd
San Jose, CA
(408) 272-5577
Union City Location
33523 Western Ave.
Union City, CA 94857
(510) 487-4357