When does prenatal care refer to

Prenatal care, which is currently generally recognized clinically, refers to all nursing interventions for the pregnant mother and fetus during the entire gestation period from the diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy to the delivery of the fetus. However, in recent years, with the popularization of the concept of eugenics and eugenics, there are also different opinions in the academic circles. Many practitioners in the reproductive field will include physical conditioning and risk screening 3-6 months before pregnancy into the broad scope of prenatal care. Essentially, this is to reduce pregnancy risks and provide double protection for pregnant mothers and fetuses.

Last week, when I was sitting in the obstetrics clinic, I met a little girl who rushed in hurriedly with a two-striped pregnancy test stick and asked, "Should I start prenatal care now?" The best friend who was accompanying her also answered, saying that they had stopped taking milk tea and supplementing with folic acid three months in advance, and they didn't know if what they had done before would count.

In fact, according to narrow clinical standards, she will have to wait until she has a B-ultrasound next week to confirm that the fetus is a live fetus in the womb, followed by follow-up prenatal care, diet and rest guidance, and complication prevention before she officially enters the cycle of prenatal care. But if you look at the effects of intervention, Toxoplasma screening, periodontal disease treatment, and basic chronic disease control during the pregnancy preparation period have actually moved the focus of prenatal care forward, and can eliminate many possible risks in early pregnancy in advance, the effect is much better than making up for it after pregnancy.

What everyone usually comes into contact with the most is prenatal care during pregnancy, and it is not just the examination at the hospital. You can count fetal movements at home, control your weight in the third trimester, adjust your diet when morning sickness is severe, and even put a pillow to raise your legs when you have edema. These daily operations are all part of prenatal care and are not something advanced. To put it bluntly, the core of prenatal care revolves around the four words "safety of mother and child." There is no need to be too stuck on when to start. If you have plans to become pregnant, adjusting your body to the best condition in advance is essentially paving the way for the smooth arrival of the baby in advance.