Ideally, your prenatal care should begin before you even become pregnant. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 4 million American women give birth each year. Nearly one-third of them will experience some type of pregnancy-related complication. Women who do not seek adequate prenatal care increase their risk for complications that may go undetected or are not dealt with soon enough. This can lead to serious consequences for the mother and/or baby. It's never too early to start prenatal care.

Your doctor can do a thorough physical exam and can explain how pregnancy might affect you as an individual. Your doctor can address any current health issues you may have and discuss with you how it may affect your pregnancy. She can review any medications you are taking and make any changes necessary. She can also make sure you are up to date on immunizations, test you for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and measure your immunity to certain childhood diseases such as chicken pox and rubella. It is a smart idea to have these tests done before you get pregnant to make sure you are in good health. Your prenatal check up is also your chance to ask any questions you may have.

Choosing a Health-Care Provider

Choosing your health-care provider — and the hospital where you'll have your baby — can be one of the most important decisions you make for you and your baby. Women who are planning to become pregnant are typically cared for by either a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN), a family practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife (CNM). Your health-care provider might be your current OB/GYN or family doctor (if he specializes in obstetrics), or you may want to take this chance to switch doctors if you are not completely comfortable with your present one. Choose a healthcare professional who is caring enough to spend a few extra minutes with you to talk about preconception care. The recommendation of family members, friends, and insurance companies can be helpful as well.

Demystifying the Titles

Obstetricians (OB) are doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth. These doctors may or may not also be gynecologists (GYN), who are doctors specializing in women's health care. If your doctor is board certified, you will see the letters FACOG (Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) following her name.

A certified nurse midwife (CNM) is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in women's health care, including prenatal care, labor, and delivery, and postpartum care for “normal” pregnancies. Most midwives in the United States are CNMs. They have at least a bachelor's degree, and some may have a master's or doctoral degree. Certification means the nurse midwife has completed both nursing and midwifery training and has passed national and state licensing exams to become certified. Midwives are now licensed to practice in all states, and many work in conjunction with doctors. About 96 percent of CNM-assisted births occur in hospitals. Certified midwives are not registered nurses, but otherwise they meet the same qualifications as a CNM. Currently, only the State of New York recognizes this certification as sufficient for licensure. If you choose a midwife to perform the delivery, make sure to ask about that midwife's credentialing process. Also find out who is supervising her in your care and the delivery of your baby.

It is up to you to make an educated and informed decision about who will care for you and your baby during pregnancy, so do your research. If you are considered higher risk due to your personal health and/or personal or family health history or there is reason to anticipate complications during your pregnancy or childbirth, you may need to choose a doctor who specializes in your condition. Your OB/GYN should be able to help you pinpoint risk factors and refer you to a specialist if necessary. No matter whom you choose, it is important to make your decision and make a prenatal appointment as soon as possible.