<unk> ' refers to the medical<unk>  recommended for women before and during pregnancy. The aim of good<unk>  is to detect any potential problems early, to prevent them if possible (through recommendations on adequate nutrition, exercise, vitamin intake etc), and to direct the woman to appropriate specialists, hospitals, etc. if necessary. The availability of routine<unk>  has played a part in reducing maternal death rates and miscarriages as well as birth defects, low birth weight, and other preventable infant problems in the developed world[citation needed].
While availability of<unk>  has considerable personal health and social benefits, socioeconomic problems prevent its universal adoption in many developed as well as developing nations.
Studies in Canada and the United States have shown that communities in rural areas as well as minorities are less likely to have available<unk>  and also have higher rates of infant mortality and miscarriage.
One prenatal practice is for the expecting mother to consume vitamins with at least 400 mcg of folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects.<unk>  generally consists of:
monthly visits during the first two trimesters (from week 1-28)
biweekly from 28 to week 36 of pregnancy
weekly after week 36 (delivery at week 38-40)
Prenatal care
Birth control
Pregnancy test
Fetal screening
Prenatal diagnosis
Fetal surgery
Maternal immunization
Birth weight