What should be measured at each prenatal visit to assess maternal health?

During each prenatal visit, monitoring glucose and protein levels is essential in assessing maternal health, particularly to screen for conditions such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Glucose testing helps identify any abnormalities in blood sugar levels that could affect both the mother and the developing fetus. Detecting protein in the urine is crucial in evaluating kidney function and identifying potential complications like preeclampsia, which can have serious consequences if left unmonitored.

While blood pressure and temperature are important vital signs that can indicate overall health, they do not provide as direct an assessment of potential pregnancy complications as glucose and protein. Fetal heartbeat and movement are critical for assessing fetal well-being, but they focus more on fetal health rather than the maternal aspects. Weight and iron levels are also important for monitoring nutritional status and anemia, yet they do not directly assess immediate health concerns related to pregnancy complications. Therefore, measuring glucose and protein levels at each visit provides vital insight into the health of the mother and the developing fetus.