As soon as you suspect you are pregnant or confirm your pregnancy with a home pregnancy test, it is advised that you set up a consultation with a prenatal care doctor. A prenatal care doctor is essentially an OB/GYN who provides you with care throughout your pregnancy to ensure the health of you and your baby.
Your first prenatal appointment with your doctor will be between eight weeks and 10 weeks after the first day of your last period. To get the best out of your prenatal appointment, you should go well-prepared.
Do you need help in getting prepared for your first prenatal care appointment? Here, we will discuss some steps that you can follow to ensure a smooth and productive appointment with your prenatal care doctor.
Know What Happens at a Prenatal Care Visit
During a typical prenatal visit, your prenatal care doctor will do many things – depending on your health and their process – to make sure that you are doing well and that your baby is developing properly.
Your first prenatal care visit will likely involve:
- Checking your vital stats like your weight, height, body temperature, and blood pressure.
- Taking a urine sample to confirm your pregnancy.
- Ordering blood tests to better understand your health and any condition that may affect your baby or your pregnancy.
- Performing a pelvic and breast exam.
- Performing a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm that your pregnancy is progressing in a healthy way.
- Taking your health history.
- Calculating your due date.
- Developing a prenatal care plan that best suits your needs.
Prepare for Your Prenatal Visit
Like with any other medical appointment, it’s best to go prepare for your prenatal care appointment. The following are some recommended steps that you should take to prepare for your prenatal care appointment.
Prepare Your Medical History
Gather your medical records, including your past gynecological history, history of sexually transmitted diseases, and any past pregnancies, surgeries, and chronic health conditions.
Also gather a record of any allergies, medications, and supplements you are currently taking or have taken in the past, and any relevant family medical history.
Prepare for a Physical Exam
Your prenatal visit will also include a physical examination. Because of this, it is recommended that you wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be easily removed from the waist down or adjusted to facilitate the pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound.
Review Your Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle choices and habits can impact your pregnancy. As soon as you suspect you are pregnant, reflect on your lifestyle choices and make any necessary adjustments. Consider factors such as drug use; alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco consumption; smoking; exposure to toxins; etc.
It is very important that you be open and honest about your lifestyle with your prenatal care doctor.
Prepare a List of Questions You Have in Mind
While you’re pregnant, you may have many questions about your pregnancy, your baby, and your lifestyle. Write all of these questions down in a journal and ask them during your appointment. Generally, women in their first prenatal care appointment will ask questions like:
- What is my expected due date (EDD) for delivery?
- Are the symptoms I am experiencing normal?
- Is there anything that I can do to help with my morning sickness?
- Do I need prenatal vitamins?
- Can I have sex during pregnancy?
- What symptoms should I watch out for?
Prenatal Care Doctor in Syracuse, NY
If you are looking for a highly trained and skilled prenatal care doctor in and around Syracuse, NY, look no further. At University OB/GYN Associates, we have a team of board-certified gynecologists and obstetricians who can provide top-notch care throughout your pregnancy, during labor, and after delivery. Our OB/GYNs are also skilled in addressing conditions commonly associated with pregnancy.
If you would like to set up a prenatal appointment with our OB/GYN, call us today at (315) 464-5162 or visit us at one of our locations in Syracuse.
