What is it?
It is the counseling of future parents by the pediatrician before childbirth, usually at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy (up to the 36th week). Its role and significance have been described since the 1960s, while the American Academy of Pediatrics has systematically recommended it since 1984.
(The last sentence about FNA biopsy results being sent within 48 hours seems unrelated to the prenatal visit. Do you want me to keep it in the translation or remove it as likely accidental text?)
Who is it for?
The pediatric prenatal visit is recommended for all families expecting a child.
It is particularly useful for:
- Parents expecting their first child,
- Parents without prior experience,
- Single-parent families,
- Pregnancies considered high-risk or with complications,
- Multiple pregnancies,
- Parents who have previously experienced perinatal loss of a fetus or child,
- Parents planning to adopt a child.
What are the goals of the pediatric prenatal visit?
- Taking and evaluating the complete family and social history.
- A thorough discussion about the parents’ expectations, concerns, and general views regarding the birth of their child.
- Strengthening parenting skills by providing detailed guidance and advice on:
- the nutrition of both mother and infant, and supporting breastfeeding,
- newborn care,
- expected newborn behavior inside and outside the maternity hospital,
- the father’s role in breastfeeding,
- newborn safety—including sleeping position, how to properly hold the baby, safe pacifier use, and hygiene and cleanliness measures,
- the possibility of postpartum depression and feelings of inadequacy,
- ways to soothe a restless baby,
- symptoms of the most common and significant neonatal conditions,
- providing first aid to the newborn.
- Preventive guidance for parents regarding:
1. the necessary equipment for newborn care,
2. the safe transportation of the newborn by car,
3. the proper and safe setup of the home environment that will host the newborn, with the pediatrician’s on-site presence and expert advice, to avoid mistakes, omissions, and unnecessary expenses.
Who should be present?
Present at the pediatric prenatal visit should be:
- the expectant mother,
- the husband/partner,
- and – if the parents so wish – the grandparents or other adults who will actively participate in the newborn’s care.
