Professor Shelton
SPC1024
August 26, 2020
Prenatal Care & Its Importance
According to the world health organization, “In 2017 approximately 810 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth”. This is Heartbreaking because Pregnancy is a life changing experience for women all of the world. Bringing a new child in this world should be exciting, but for some mothers that choose not to receive care could face some serious problems, Whether it’s their baby’s health on the line or their own. Prenatal care is check-ups that include scans, bloodwork, urine samples and other test ran to make sure there are no complications during the pregnancy. In order to receive the best possible outcomes, Proper prenatal care is necessary for the health of a newborn and mother. Prenatal care gives Insight to health conditions, helps with proper nutrition, and improves a child’s chance of survival.
Guided by research and professionals, Prenatal care has been proven to be key to a healthy pregnancy. With technology advances throughout the years, new technology emerged such as the Ultrasound, today it is the most commonly used. Mothers may begin to develop a sense of worry with the effects on these technologies. As a first timer, things like this could be terrifying which is understandable, but mothers should keep in mind that the goal is to keep them both healthy. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: Combine these two paragraphs
One of the most important reasons as to why mothers should receive care is because of the insight provided about possible health conditions that can arise. Yes, millions of women have had great pregnancy experiences but there are many that suffer from various health conditions. According to the Guttmacher institute, “lack of prenatal care is associated with a 40% increase in risk of neonatal death overall and a doubling of the risk among woman delivering at or after 36 weeks’ gestation”. If there are any complications discovered doctors are able to face the issue at an early stage to try and manage the problem. During times of worry information from experienced professionals gives a sense of comfort. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: After combining the two paragraphs, this should be the first sentence as you aim to prove why this is an important reason.
Although, some illnesses are unpreventable, doctors could inform the patient about possible ways to make it a tranquil experience. Mothers could be at risk as well of complications. According to google search engine Maternal Mortality, is “the death of a mother while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy”. Test could detect high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Almost all deaths could’ve been avoided with proper care during pregnancy. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: Merge this with the previous two paragraphs.
Furthermore, Appropriate care can help with proper nutrition. Since a baby consumes what the mother consumes, foods that are filling with nutrients will help develop a healthy baby. Iron is an important nutrient that prevents anemia, which can lead to preterm birth and low birth weight. If an expecting mother doesn’t obtain proper nutrition her baby is prone to getting a chronic disease which can be passed on to future generations. Same goes for overweight mothers because it could lead to diabetes and will also be passed on to the child. Without information like this from obstetricians, this could be missed and cause a huge problem. Another important nutrient that should be taken is prenatal vitamins. They are important in making sure your baby gets the nutrition needed. Folic acid vitamins are advised to be consumed; it reduces the risk of defects. These visits can also inform you about medications that shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy. For example, if acne medications are taken before pregnancy, they could tell you to stop taking them because this could cause issues. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: You need to provide sources to show how this information is valid based on research.
Lastly, prenatal care improves a child’s chance of survival because issues are pinpointed from an early stage. Great care is associated with better academic and literacy skills. For example, During the first months a baby’s brain starts to develop; if a mother is under too much stress, the fetus is subject to high stress hormones that can affect the development. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: You need to do more research in order to develop this point.
Naturally, there are critics who will disagree with my thesis for various reasons. While their views are important, I believe that they can be addressed and answered. Some critics believe that they can handle their pregnancy on their own. In an article published by the STAT website, Sara Carter, a first-time mother, felt like she can take things on without professional care. She wanted to trust her own body during pregnancy and refused to receive an ultrasound that checks for abnormalities during visits. She avoided these scans due to friends and blogs stating that it can harm her and the baby. Outside opinions led her to believe it was too risky, so she opted out. However, when Sara did research, she found no evidence in ultrasounds being harmful. In fact, Ultrasounds are important in the prenatal care process because it can detect any abnormalities. When receiving proper prenatal care, you are eliminating the risk of complications that you may have, because things can quickly turn left. Women need to understand that it is okay to receive help during pregnancy and more support. The doctors helping you are professionals and have Knowledge in these areas. Sara discovered that there is no evidence on the ultrasounds being harmful when she was already far along in her pregnancy, but in the future now she will know that there is no harm in ultrasounds. I would suggest that anyone having concerns should ask and address their concerns to professionals. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: While inserting opposing views is required, you have to make sure you develop a solid argument that supports your thesis. You have more commentary on the opposing view than you do for proving your ideas.
Another reason as to why women choose not to receive care would be because some people believe there is no point. According to the article, “Prenatal Care: Breaking through tradition and habit”, Rachel Hess the chief of the division of Health systems innovation and research stated, “Care that is not necessary can only result in harms that should not have occurred because the care should not have been delivered”. She feels as if all the testing and visits aren’t necessary if they aren’t experiencing any problems. She believes that Prenatal care is governed by medical dogma. Meaning a belief that has been around since the beginning and hasn’t changed no matter how many studies have gave new information on care.
Yes, there are women that can have healthy outcomes. But these visits are extremely important because, babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are 3 times more likely to have a low birth weight & 5 times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care. Early visits can detect problems earlier and doctors will be able to come up with a solution that will save money and time. According to an article by npr, “the average medical cost for a baby with problems of prematurity is $79,000, compared to $1,000 for a healthy newborn. Hospitalizations for a preemie in the first year can be upwards of $500,000; intensive care can cost in the millions”. This shows how Important care is in detecting complications that could arise which leads to more money being spent for other services. Not only do prenatal care visits detect abnormalities but it saves you from paying much more if your baby has defects due to neglecting care. In my opinion, the visits and costs outweigh the possibility of your child getting defects from not going to visits. Comment by Nikkele Shelton: Spell out numbers under tend. Also, spell out your words and capitalize acronyms. NPRAnd (versus &)Five versus 5, etc.
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