Pregnancy management

Pregnancy management is primarily aimed at monitoring the development of the fetus and the health of the expectant mother.

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What is pregnancy management?

In order to identify chronic or hidden pathologies, as well as to prevent the development of dangerous diseases, pregnancy management consists of prescribing the following tests and examinations:

• General blood and urine analysis.
• Bacterial culture of urine and genital secretions.
• Cytological examination of a smear.
• Colposcopy is a gynecological microscope examination of the epithelial layer of the mucous membrane of the cervix to detect cellular abnormalities (performed strictly according to indications if abnormalities were detected during a cytological examination of a cervical smear).
• Examination for TORCH infections (toxoplasma infection, rubella, herpes, cytomegalovirus). The main feature of these infections is that they can be asymptomatic or mild, while the infection will have a detrimental effect on the condition of the fetus and the course of pregnancy.
• Examination for sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, AIDS, syphilis, etc.).
• Biochemical blood test.
• Coagulogram is an analysis of blood clotting.
• Ultrasound examination. This method of examination is the most common in obstetric and gynecological practice. Ultrasound allows you to get accurate information about the position, shape and size of the pelvic organs and the fetus, is a generally available, harmless and painless method. The doctor may also prescribe additional tests.

Before registering, all women must undergo a mandatory preventive examination by specialists such as a gynecologist, therapist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, etc.

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include: heavy vaginal discharge mixed with mucus or blood, uterine hypertonicity, menstrual-type pain in the lumbar region, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, diarrhea, swelling, changes in fetal movement patterns or no movement for more than eight hours. Any symptoms that cause unpleasant, uncomfortable or painful sensations are a significant reason for an urgent, unscheduled visit to the attending gynecologist.

Why is pregnancy management necessary?

Pregnancy management is also aimed at correcting the woman's psychoneurological conditions in order to prevent depression, stress, nervousness, which negatively affect both the condition of the expectant mother and the condition of the fetus. To prevent the development of psychoneurological conditions, as well as the risk of miscarriage, toxicosis and other pathological conditions, pregnant women are advised to follow the following recommendations:

• Drink enough liquid per day – up to two liters.
• Avoid foods that cause constipation if you have no stool - balance your diet.
• Empty your bladder on time.
• Avoid stressful situations and physical strain.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol under any circumstances.
• Eat a balanced and healthy diet, take vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant women, and get more rest – you should get at least eight hours of sleep a day.
• Visit your antenatal clinic regularly (at least once every two weeks).

During the first visit to the gynecologist, a detailed study of the anamnesis is carried out, a general medical and obstetric examination is carried out, then a standard laboratory study and a therapeutic examination are prescribed. An ultrasound examination is prescribed in the ninth to eleventh week, the second ultrasound is carried out in the sixteenth to twentieth week, the third - in the thirty-second to thirty-sixth week. In the twenty-eighth week, a test for fetal movement is carried out. Before each visit to the gynecologist, the woman takes a urine test, according to which the doctor monitors the functioning of the kidneys. Also, at each consultation, the doctor weighs the pregnant woman, measures blood pressure, determines the height of the fundus of the uterus, listens to the fetal heartbeat. Since the formation of the fetal organs occurs in the first three months of gestation, it is necessary to register in the first weeks of pregnancy. When registering, the pregnant woman fills out a special form in which she indicates the following information:

• Last name, first name, age, address, telephone number, place of work.
• Next, information about the woman’s health is indicated: past or existing illnesses.
• Health data of family members.
• Information about the medications the woman is currently taking.
• Has the woman had any surgical interventions?
• Presence of allergic reactions.
• Social history (alcohol consumption, smoking, data on the frequency of sexual activity, blood transfusions, etc.).
• Pregnancy history (whether the woman has had previous births, abortions, or miscarriages).
• The nature of menstrual function (at what age the first menstruation began, the interval between menstruations, the duration and amount of menstrual flow, the severity of pain during menstruation, the date of the beginning of the last menstruation).
• History of gynecological diseases.
• Use of contraceptives.

An exchange card is issued for each woman, which records the woman's personal data, the results of all tests and examinations, changes in physiological indicators and other data on the course of pregnancy. When the expected date of delivery arrives, the exchange card is transferred to the maternity hospital. The card records information on how the birth went, whether there were any complications, whether pain relief was administered, as well as information about the newborn baby. This extract is given to the woman before she goes home with the baby, after which she transfers it to the children's clinic.

Pregnancy management must be carried out by a qualified specialist; at the first signs of pregnancy, a woman must visit a gynecologist and register with a women's consultation. Pregnancy management begins from the moment a woman registers and continues until the due date and referral to a maternity hospital.