When you are pregnant, it is often a good idea to try to visit the antenatal clinic as much as you can. The reason for this is that such visits make it very easy to ensure that you and your baby are as healthy as can be. In addition to that, it can also help in reducing the chances of one or both of you succumbing to illnesses that are easily preventable. Another very important benefit of visiting such clinics is that it ensures that you are aware of any congenital problems that your child may have, so that you can prepare to deal with them when they are born.
How such congenital anomalies are detected
There are many technologies that are normally used to detect such anomalies. These include the use of ultrasound technology, which provides an overview of the general structure of the baby. This can then provide information about any congenital problems that the baby may have, such as missing limbs.
The other thing that they doctors can do in order to detect congenital anomalies is analysis of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. They do this by extracting the fluid using a syringe and then checking it for metabolites that are normally characteristic of some of these congenital anomalies.
What if it’s found that your child has such an anomaly?
Giving birth to a child who has a congenital anomaly normally takes its toll on both parents. However, the good thing about knowing about it before the baby is even born is that it gives you time to come to terms to the situation. In fact, you can join support groups before the baby is born, in which case you would end up interacting with other parents who have gone through the same issues.
You can also use the opportunity to correct a few of these problems. For instance, there are some surgeons who can do surgery on a fetus while it’s in the womb. You can also use the information to prepare for any other kind of therapy after your baby is born, such as otoplasty for when they have deformed ears. For all this to work, however, you will need to make sure that you learn of the condition beforehand.
As you can see, there are numerous benefits of going for thorough antenatal care visits as much as you can. This way, you can make the transition into motherhood a bit smoother than it normally is especially for mothers of congenitally deformed children.