Guide to the Prenatal Visit - Keep Kids Healthy

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Main > Newborn > The Prenatal Visit

The Prenatal Visit

The main purpose of the prenatal visit is for parents to interview a new physician (see Guide to Choosing A Doctor for more information). Another reason to schedule a doctor's visit before your baby is born is so that you can be better prepared for the baby's arrival. It is also a time to discuss any maternal or family medical problems that may affect your newborn.

Childproofing the house...



		Related Articles • Car Seat Safety • Back To Sleep To Prevent SIDS • Safety Internet Links • About Pediatrics • How Safe is Safe?

Accidents are the leading cause of death for children. Most of these deaths could easily be prevented and it is therefore important to keep your child's safety in mind at all times. Here are some tips to keep your new baby safe:

Use a rear facing infant or convertible car seat in the back seat until your baby is 1 y/o and 22lbs and never place your baby in the front seat of a car with a passenger side airbag. Make sure that your car seat is available for when you leave the hospital and are taking your baby home.
Make sure the crib is safe: have no more than 2 3/8 inches between the bars; the mattress should be firm and fit snugly within the crib; place it away from windows and drafts; avoid placing fluffy blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows in the crib as they can cause smothering.
Make sure that used or hand-me-down equipment, such as car seats, strollers, toys and cribs, etc., haven't been recalled for safety reasons. Call the manufacturer or the Consumer Product Safety Commission for an up-to-date list of recalled products (800-638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov).
Set the temperature of your hot water heater between 120 and 130 degrees F to prevent scalding burns.
Never leave small objects or plastic bags in your baby's reach to prevent choking.
Back To Sleep: put your baby to sleep on his back or side (as long as he doesn't roll over onto his stomach) to prevent SIDS and never put him down alone on a waterbed, bean bag, or soft blanket that can cover their face and cause choking. Also make sure that daycare personal or baby-sitters also know to put your baby to sleep on his back.
Prevent falls by not leaving your baby alone on a bed or changing table.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and use flame retardant sleepware.
Install fire extinguishers and consider purchasing flame resistant or flame retardant furniture in your home.
Be cautious of certain dog breeds (Rottweilers, pit bulls, German Shepherds) that account for over fifty percent of fatal dog bites and closely supervise children when in the presence of animals.

Passive Smoking

Children that are exposed to parents that smoke have been shown to have more problems with allergies and asthma, have higher rates of SIDS, and more ear and upper respiratory tract infections and it is therefore important to raise your child in a smoke free environment. See your doctor for tips/medicines to help you stop smoking. It is not enough to simply smoke outside or in another room from your baby.

It is even more important that pregnant mothers do not smoke, as it can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, and learning disabilities later in life.

Preparing siblings...

Having a new baby can be very disruptive to families, especially to first born children and toddlers. It is very common and even normal for siblings to feel jealously towards a new baby. Siblings may also become more demanding, disruptive, or aggressive and may regress in many of their behaviors, including not wanting to use the potty anymore, using baby talk or having frequent temper tantrums. Younger siblings will feel that they are no longer the center of attention and will be jealous of the attention that is paid to the new baby. See Preparing siblings for the baby for more info...

Circumcision

Whether or not to circumcise your newborn is a personal decision that parents must make. The medical benefits of circumcision are very small and with the potential risks of the procedure, a decision to have your child circumcised should not be made on this basis alone, but should include your cultural, religious and ethnic traditions. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not promote routine circumcision, but leaves the decision up to the parents on whether or not to have the procedure done. The Academy does recommend the routine use of pain medicine for circumcisions.

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Updated: October 14, 2001

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Important disclaimer: The information on keepkidshealthy.com is for educational purposes only and should not be considered to be medical advice. It is not meant to replace the advice of the physician who cares for your child. All medical advice and information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not possible without a visit to your doctor.