Why do I need to go to a women's health clinic?

First of all, if you are interested in getting pregnant, you need to make sure that your missed period is what you were expecting.

Secondly, in connection with the new program of payment of maternity benefits, it is taken into account when the expectant mother registered. If she visited a doctor before 12 weeks, then the amount of payment will increase.

Thirdly, even if the pregnancy is going well, you still need advice, help, communication. After all, the advice of a doctor or midwife is more qualified than the advice of grandmothers, mothers, girlfriends, colleagues, etc.

Fourthly, the women's consultation center offers special gymnastics for pregnant women, courses on psychological preparation for childbirth, and classes on preparation for breastfeeding and child care.

Fifthly, pregnancy does not always proceed smoothly, and only specialists - a gynecologist, therapist, ophthalmologist, dentist - can recognize this or that pathology in time and eliminate these disorders before they lead to serious consequences.

What does an obstetrician-gynecologist examine during a pregnant woman’s first visit to a women’s health clinic?

First, the obstetrician-gynecologist will measure the external dimensions of the pelvis. This is necessary to determine whether the pregnant woman will be able to give birth on her own or whether she will have to resort to a cesarean section.

Secondly, he will determine whether the uterus is growing. This needs to be determined to ensure that the pregnancy is developing in the uterus and not outside of it.

Thirdly, the pregnant woman will definitely be asked to weigh herself. Later, throughout the pregnancy, the staff of the antenatal clinic will monitor the weight gain, as this is an indicator of the correct functioning of the kidneys. Weighing is used to determine whether fluid is accumulating in the body. If the weight increases too quickly, this indicates that serious disorders have begun in the body.

Along with monitoring body weight, blood pressure is regularly measured. If the kidneys begin to filter blood worse, fluid accumulates in the pregnant woman's body. At first, this is manifested by an increase in body weight, and then blood pressure begins to rise.

In addition to monitoring your weight and blood pressure, your doctor will examine your shins and ankles to see if they are swollen, since the first signs of swelling occur here.

The obstetrician-gynecologist examines the pregnant woman's abdomen and takes the necessary measurements to correlate them with the expected gestational age. He also determines the position of the fetus in the uterus and the so-called presenting part. (What is presenting - the head or the pelvic end of the fetus.) These parameters are determined by palpating the abdomen. Of course, it is better if the presenting part is the head. But if the buttocks are presenting or the baby is in a transverse position, there is no need to be alarmed. There is a special set of exercises that help correct the incorrect position of the fetus.

The volume of amniotic fluid is also examined and the fetal heartbeat is listened to using a stethoscope or special device.

If no pathology was detected during your first visit to the antenatal clinic, then up to 20 weeks of pregnancy you will visit the doctor once a month, from the 20th to the 30th week - once every 2 weeks, and after the 30th week - every week.

What tests are needed and why?

Modern medicine cannot do without tests. And although they are called "additional research methods", sometimes only on the basis of test results can one notice disorders beginning in the pregnant woman's body in time.

The standard list of tests prescribed at the antenatal clinic includes: clinical blood test; biochemical blood test; blood group and Rh factor test; blood test for various infections - syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, herpes, rubella; urine test; smear for the degree of purity of the vaginal microflora.

Only after you have passed all the tests will the doctor be able to comprehensively assess both your health and the condition of your future baby.