This year has seen more pregnant women requiring induced abortions due to fetal abnormalities than in previous years. Statistics from the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital indicate that over 150 certificates for induced abortions due to fetal abnormalities were issued in the first half of the year, an increase of nearly 50 compared to the same period last year. Experts remind expectant mothers that prenatal checkups must not be neglected during pregnancy to ensure the birth of a healthy baby.
Don't Skip Prenatal Checks to Prevent Birth Defects
Experts explain that the rise in therapeutic abortions for fetal abnormalities likely stems from three factors: first, the increase in older pregnant women following the relaxation of the two-child policy; second, the gradual improvement in ultrasound technology, leading to higher detection rates of abnormalities; and third, environmental factors.
Fetal abnormalities can affect various organs, with congenital heart defects being the most common, followed by abnormalities in the nervous system, digestive tract, and limbs.Some expectant mothers who undergo early or mid-pregnancy screening for abnormalities become complacent about later checkups, which can lead to complications. Certain conditions, like severe heart defects where the heart has only one chamber, can be detected early. However, others, such as ventricular septal defects, require waiting until after five and a half months when the heart is fully developed. Additionally, some abnormalities, like spina bifida or intestinal atresia, only manifest as the baby grows and develops later in pregnancy.Ultrasound is a relatively safe examination, and at least five ultrasounds should be performed throughout the entire pregnancy. Even so, abnormalities like polydactyly (extra fingers) may not be detected by ultrasound because the baby's hands are often clenched into fists during pregnancy. To prevent birth defects, pregnant women should avoid toxic or harmful environments, manage stress, and crucially, take a multivitamin containing folic acid.Research indicates that folic acid-containing multivitamins offer preventive benefits against congenital heart defects, cleft lip/palate, and polydactyly. These supplements are available at pharmacies and hospitals.
Regarding induced abortion, doctors rarely recommend it lightly. They would only consider it if the fetus has a potentially life-threatening abnormality. If the abnormality is not life-threatening, treatment can be pursued after birth.
Prenatal Checkup Schedule for Expectant Mothers
First Prenatal Visit: 12 weeks gestation
Examination Items: Establish prenatal care handbook, confirm gestational age, calculate due date, assess high-risk pregnancy factors, measure blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fetal heart rate, perform complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, blood typing (ABO and Rh), fasting blood glucose, liver and kidney function tests, hepatitis B surface antigen screening, syphilis screening, HIV screening, electrocardiogram (ECG), etc.
39 Health Reminder: If you haven't undergone premarital or preconception screening, add thalassemia screening. If you have pets at home, add parasite screening. The first prenatal visit involves the most tests to comprehensively assess the mother's health. It's recommended to bring the father-to-be for the checkup and to understand the health status of both your immediate family and extended family members.
Second Prenatal Visit: 16 weeks gestation
Examination Items: Analysis of initial prenatal results, blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, mid-pregnancy Down syndrome blood screening (15-20 weeks).
39 Health Reminder: The most critical component of the second prenatal visit is the Down's syndrome screening. For this test, refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before. Arrive at the hospital the next morning on an empty stomach. Additionally, the screening is influenced by your menstrual cycle, weight, height, accurate gestational age, and fetal size. It's best to consult your doctor beforehand about any other preparations needed.
Third Prenatal Visit: 20 weeks gestation
Examination Items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities (18-24 weeks).
39 Health Reminder: The most critical component of the third prenatal visit is the ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities. Conducted at 20 weeks, this ultrasound primarily assesses whether there are significant issues with the fetus's external development.The doctor will carefully measure the fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and examine the spine for congenital abnormalities. If the expectant mother undergoes a 4D ultrasound, she can also see the baby's real-time facial expressions. Before the ultrasound, it's important for the expectant mother to maintain a calm state of mind. Excessive tension can affect fetal movement, thereby impacting the effectiveness of the ultrasound examination.
Fourth Prenatal Visit: 24 Weeks Pregnant
Examination Items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, glucose tolerance screening (75g OGTT).
39 Health Reminder: The most critical component of the fourth routine prenatal visit is screening for gestational diabetes—the glucose tolerance test, typically conducted at 24 weeks.Avoid eating after 8 PM the night before the test and limit water intake. Drink the glucose solution slowly, sip by sip, rather than gulping it down. Finish within 3-5 minutes. After drinking, walk around to help expend energy within an hour, which aids in lowering blood sugar levels.
5th Prenatal Visit: 28 weeks gestation
Examination Items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, obstetric ultrasound, complete blood count.
39 Health Reminder: Anemia incidence increases during this period. Expectant mothers must undergo anemia screening. If anemia is detected, it should be treated before delivery.Starting at 28 weeks, prenatal visits become biweekly. Both the 5th and 6th visits include routine examinations.
6th Prenatal Visit: 30 Weeks Pregnant
Examination Items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate.
39 Health Reminder: This week's checkup covers routine items. Expectant mothers should note daily fetal movements and seek immediate medical attention if abnormalities are detected.
7th Prenatal Visit: 32 weeks gestation
Examination items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, fetal heart monitoring.
39 Health Reminder: Fetal heart monitoring is typically added starting at 32 weeks. Choose a comfortable position for monitoring, avoiding lying flat. If the baby remains still during monitoring, it may be asleep—gently rocking your abdomen can help wake the baby.
8th Prenatal Visit: 34 weeks gestation
Prenatal Checkup Items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, fetal heart rate monitoring.
39 Health Tip: For the 8th prenatal visit, in addition to routine checks, all expectant mothers should undergo fetal heart monitoring. Before the monitoring, try walking around or eating a light snack to encourage fetal movement, which will help the monitoring proceed more smoothly.
9th Prenatal Visit: 36 weeks pregnant
Examination items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, obstetric ultrasound.Doctors use this data to assess the fetus's current weight and development, and estimate its weight at full term. If fetal growth restriction is detected, expectant mothers should increase nutritional intake.
10th Prenatal Visit: 37 weeks pregnant
Examination items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, cervical examination (Bishop score), fetal heart rate monitoring, fetal position assessment.
39 Health Tip: During late-pregnancy checkups, in addition to fetal heart monitoring, the doctor will perform a fetal position assessment to determine whether natural delivery or surgical assistance is appropriate.
11th Prenatal Visit: 38 weeks pregnant
Examination items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, cervical examination (Bishop score), fetal heart rate monitoring.
39 Health Reminder:During this visit, in addition to routine checks and fetal heart monitoring, the doctor will assess the mother's pelvic structure and overall condition to determine the delivery method.
12th Prenatal Visit: 39 weeks pregnant
Examination items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, cervical examination (Bishop score), fetal heart monitoring.
39 Health Reminder: As your due date approaches, this stage of prenatal care primarily involves routine checks and fetal heart monitoring. However, the most crucial step is for expectant mothers to develop the habit of daily self-monitoring of fetal movements.
13th Prenatal Visit: 40 weeks pregnant
Examination items: Blood pressure, weight, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, fetal position, cervical examination (Bishop score), fetal heart rate monitoring.
7 Key Tips for Choosing Your Prenatal Care Provider
Selecting the right prenatal care provider impacts the smoothness of your pregnancy journey and can directly influence your emotional well-being. Since your mood may further affect fetal growth and development, choosing a reliable doctor is crucial. So, how should expectant mothers make this choice? Here are 7 effective methods:
1. Check doctor reviews on medical websites