Finding out you’re expecting a baby is an exciting time! One of the first steps in your pregnancy journey is your first prenatal visit. This visit is important because it helps ensure that both you and your baby are healthy.
Let’s go through what happens during this visit so you know what to expect.
Why is the First Prenatal Visit Important?
Your first prenatal visit, usually scheduled around 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, is essential for several reasons:
- Confirming Pregnancy: Your obstetrics and gynecology physician will confirm your pregnancy through a physical exam and may also perform an ultrasound.
- Health Assessment: Your overall health and medical history will be reviewed to identify any potential risks to you or your baby.
- Building a Care Plan: This visit helps set up a plan for your prenatal care, including future visits, recommended tests, and lifestyle changes.
When to Schedule Your First Prenatal Visit
Typically, your first prenatal visit should happen around 8-10 weeks into your pregnancy. However, if you suspect or confirm your pregnancy earlier, it’s a good idea to call your obstetrics and gynecology physician to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
What Happens During the First Prenatal Visit?
Medical History
Your obstetrics and gynecology physician will ask detailed questions about your medical history to get a clear picture of your overall health. Some things that you should tell your gynecology physician are:
- If you’ve been pregnant before and what was the outcome.
- Any ongoing health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure.
- All the medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements.
- If there’s anything that you’re allergic to, like certain medications or foods.
Family Medical History
It’s important to know your family’s medical history, because some health problems run in families. When you go to a obstetrics and gynecology doctor, they will ask about any conditions that other family members have, diseases you were born with, and long-term illnesses that you or your family have, like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.
They may also ask if there were any problems during previous pregnancies in your family.
Physical Exam
A physical exam helps assess your general health. It typically includes:
- Vital Signs: Checking your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
- Weight and Height: To calculate your body mass index (BMI).
- Abdominal Exam: To check the size and position of your uterus.
Blood Tests and Urine Tests
Your obstetrics and gynecology doctor will order several tests to get a baseline for your health:
Blood Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Checks for anemia and overall blood health.
- Blood Type and Rh Factor: Important for managing potential Rh incompatibility.
- Infections: Screening for infections like HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis, and rubella immunity.
- Blood Sugar Levels: To screen for gestational diabetes.
Urine Tests
- Protein Levels: High levels can indicate preeclampsia.
- Glucose Levels: To screen for diabetes.
- Infections: Checking for urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Ultrasound
At your first appointment, the doctor might do an ultrasound to make sure you are pregnant and check the baby’s heartbeat. Ultrasound creates images made from sound waves. This tool helps doctors know how old the fetus is, if there is more than one fetus, and if the heartbeat is healthy.
Due Date Calculation
Your obstetrics and gynecology doctor will calculate your due date based on the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). This estimated due date helps plan your care and monitor the baby’s growth throughout the pregnancy.
Discussing Lifestyle and Diet
Your obstetrics and gynecology doctor will talk to you about how to stay healthy during your pregnancy. They might tell you to eat a lot of different kinds of foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. You’ll also need supplements, like folic acid, iron, and calcium.
It’s important to avoid things like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, and limit your caffeine intake. Your doctor may also suggest safe ways for you to exercise, so your body stays strong.
Answering Your Questions
Your prenatal visit is a great time to ask any questions or talk about any worries you have about your pregnancy. It’s important to be informed and at ease, so don’t be afraid to ask even the smallest or silliest questions. Your obstetrics and gynecology doctor is there to help you feel comfortable and confident about the journey ahead.
Some questions you may want to ask at your prenatal appointment are:
- What are normal symptoms of early pregnancy?
- Are there things I shouldn’t do?
- How much weight should I be gaining each month?
- If I have unusual symptoms or problems, what should I do?
Obstetrics in Syracuse, New York
At University OB/GYN Associates, our dedicated team of experienced obstetricians and providers are committed to delivering the highest standard medical care. We offer a full range of services including prenatal care, maternal & fetal medicine, and lactation consulting.
To learn more or to schedule your visit with our obstetrics and gynecology physician, call us today at (315) 464-5162 or out fill our appointment request
form.
We look forward to serving you!
