The team at Lakeshore Women’s Specialists, PC, serve residents throughout North Carolina, including Davidson, Huntersville, Mooresville and Lake Norman. The practice includes James G. Zolzer, MD, FACOG, Todd J. Adams, MD, MPH, FACOG, Karen Guida, MD, FACOG and Melissa Ranallo, PA-C, who specialize in all aspects of women’s health, including pregnancy care.
request an appointmentIs Prenatal Care Important?
Prenatal care is extremely important for both the mother and her unborn child. Because a child draws its nutrition from the mother, prenatal supplements may be needed so that both get the nutritional support they need to remain healthy and strong. Prenatal care does more than just offer nutritional guidance. It can show potential problem areas and will allow the doctor to possibly prevent conditions like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes from becoming a problem. Regular exams by the doctor will show whether or not the baby is developing according to normal standards. These checks also ensure that the mother remains in good health through the duration of the pregnancy.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that only occurs while a woman is pregnant. Women who have had gestational diabetes during prior pregnancies, are obese, have a family history of Type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed with prediabetes are more susceptible to the condition. Although it has no real symptoms, it can make the birth more complicated. The baby may also be larger than normal at birth. Babies born to women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes may also experience lower than normal blood sugar levels. If a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes she should be closely monitored with a treatment plan that includes a healthy diet, exercise and watching blood sugar on a daily basis.
What Common Health Problems Are Associated with Pregnancy?
Pregnancy alters the way a woman’s body functions. The additional stress of supporting another life can cause a variety of health problems a woman may not ordinarily experience. High blood pressure, gestational diabetes, gastric upset, and recurrent headaches are just a few of the health problems women may face when they are pregnant. While the symptoms appear and can often worsen throughout the pregnancy, they will eventually disappear as soon as the woman delivers the baby and her hormone levels begin to return to normal. If a woman begins to exhibit certain symptoms during her first pregnancy, the odds are high that she will also experience the same symptoms during later pregnancies.