No two babies are the same. The experience of pregnancy and childbirth is always different , no matter how many children each woman has, and it's essential to maintain proper monitoring with the right specialist for everything to go smoothly. An important part of this journey is the prenatal consultation. There are always many questions, even if it's not your first pregnancy. Is it the right time for the consultation? What is its purpose? What documents should you bring? Pediatricians Paulo Roque Vale , Zulmira Abdula , Daniela Alves Silva , and Joana Oliveira help answer these questions. What is a prenatal appointment? Who is it for? And when should it be done? A pediatric prenatal appointment is an opportunity for parents to prepare for the arrival of their baby. It takes place before the baby is born and is the ideal opportunity for parents to meet the pediatrician who will be able to monitor their child and assess whether there is empathy and trust for a good relationship and communication in the future, thus creating an initial bond. It allows you to answer some frequently asked questions, ease anxieties, and anticipate the care that should be taken in the baby's first week of life , between discharge from the maternity ward and the newborn's first appointment. It is also a time to ask questions on various topics , including baby care in the first days, breastfeeding, hygiene, sleep, safety, vaccinations, warning signs, and more. It is also a time for the pediatrician to meet the parents, asking questions about their medical and family history and the pregnancy's progress, in order to identify risk factors that may affect the newborn. It should be done in the last trimester , between 34 and 36 weeks. What is the purpose of the prenatal appointment? Preparing for birth from the baby's perspective. Helping prevent the incidence of allergic, infectious, and metabolic diseases in the child, provided the pediatrician is aware of some of the parents' medical history in advance. Explain to parents the initial care of the baby: breastfeeding, hygiene, sleep, feeding, vaccinations, warning signs, safety, among others, thus avoiding inappropriate actions in the first days of the baby's life, even before the first postnatal appointment. Increase parents' confidence in the initial care to be provided to the baby, significantly reducing the most common problems at this stage, such as colic and jaundice. Reduce anxiety and provide parents with security for the moment of birth and the first days of the baby's life. Who performs the prenatal appointment? The prenatal appointment is conducted by a pediatrician . In some situations, coordination with other medical specialties or other health areas, such as nursing, psychology, or nutrition, may be necessary. What is the pregnant woman's journey from the first prenatal appointment? Child health monitoring begins during pregnancy. During this period, monitoring is performed by the family doctor and/or obstetrician. Closer to delivery, it's helpful to have your first pediatric prenatal appointment. After birth, your baby will be evaluated during hospital stay and before hospital discharge. All babies should have a pediatric appointment 7 to 10 days after birth. At this first appointment, the baby's adaptation to home life and that of the family are assessed. Breastfeeding adaptation and growth are also reviewed. Some common disorders that may require targeted treatment (such as jaundice) are reassessed, or reassurance is provided regarding other benign clinical conditions (navel care, baby skin care, colic, among others). From then on, regular follow-up care is planned, where both pediatrician and parents monitor the growth and development of the baby and child, until adolescence. I'm already a mother and I'm pregnant again. Should I go to a prenatal consultation? Yes, it makes sense. Every pregnancy and every baby is unique, and scientific information and recommendations also evolve over time. Therefore, a pediatric prenatal appointment can update information (new guidelines, vaccines, protocols), identify risk factors specific to this pregnancy or baby, reinforce (or review) breastfeeding techniques or past situations you want to avoid or do differently, reduce anxiety and doubts, and provide extra reassurance. Therefore, even if you are already a mother, the appointment can be useful. Should the prenatal appointment be attended only by the pregnant woman? Not necessarily. The presence of one other person is usually recommended , ideally the father or another family member or caregiver. This allows everyone to have the same information and to discuss with the pediatrician, allows the companion to clarify their own questions, and strengthens family involvement in the baby's care from the beginning. What documents should be brought to the prenatal appointment? It is important to bring to the prenatal appointment: The pregnancy record; The results of exams already performed during pregnancy, such as lab tests, ultrasounds, or other. In addition to these, at the newborn's first appointment, you should also bring: The discharge note from the maternity ward; The child and adolescent health record; The baby's vaccination record. If the mother is taking medication, it is important to know the names or bring their most recent prescription. For the baby's subsequent appointments, always bring the child and adolescent health record and vaccination record. And what is the follow-up with the pediatrician after birth? In the first 24 hours after birth, the baby will be observed by the pediatrician in the maternity ward . If you have any early concerns, you can discuss them with this professional. Afterward, the first pediatric appointment should take place within the first 15 days of life. During this appointment, the pediatrician assesses the baby's growth - weight, length, and head circumference - as well as their psychomotor development, ensuring the baby reaches expected milestones and advising parents on how to properly stimulate him. Breastfeeding support is also provided , and later guidance is given on introducing solid foods. The pediatrician also provides guidance and answers questions about vaccinations, hygiene, safety, accident prevention, and warning signs that should be monitored. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
