What To Expect At Your First Ob Visit
Your first OB appointment, generally between 8 and 12 weeks, will include a complete medical history and a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam, breast exam, urine test, pap smear and blood work. This is to check your overall health and identify any factors that put you at risk for pregnancy, birth or fetal complications. Based on this, your doctor will discuss possible genetic testing and any specific warning signs and symptoms to watch for. You may also have an ultrasound. Based on the time of your last period, your OB will give an estimated due date.
The first visit is also a time to ask lots of questions and any discuss lifestyle changes or restrictions you may need to observe during pregnancy. Based on your health and risk factors, you and your doctor will work out a schedule for subsequent appointments.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Blood Taken For Testing
Your doctor will also require one or more vials of your blood to be tested. Like many other happenings during this first prenatal visit, a blood test isnt routine for each visit. Although each doctor is slightly different, here are some of the most common tests:
- Blood type
- Tuberculosis and Hepatitis C
How Often Will I Come In For Appointments After My First Visit
We normally see you every four to six weeks until your pregnancy reaches 28 weeks, at which point we recommend you come in every two to three weeks, said Forster Page. From 36 weeks until the birth, we recommend weekly appointments.
These guidelines are the same, no matter the type of provider youre working with. After your first prenatal visit, you can also work with your care team to choose which type of provider youd like to see going forward. M Health Fairviews team approach ensures youll have access to the level of care you need down the line. If a medical issue happens during your pregnancy or delivery, specialized experts can be called in at any time to assist. To make things even easier for you, our midwives and OB/GYNS collaborate on care so that you can get the right level of support when you need it.
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What Will Happen At My First Prenatal Visit
Practitioners also have their own to-do lists for the first prenatal appointment. Heres what to expect:
Tests And Screenings In The First Trimester
The bulk of your first appointment will be going through tests and screenings, as well as questioning you about your medical history, and that of your spouse or significant other. A personal medical history will be assessed, including any medical conditions you have, what medications you take, and if you have ever had surgery before. You will also need to take the following tests:
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Lab Tests In The First Trimester:
A series of tests are performed during your first prenatal visit. This includes a complete blood count, blood typing, screening tests to look for sexually transmitted diseases, a screen to look for the rubella virus, hepatitis panel, syphilis test, screening for cystic fibrosis, urine analysis, and an HIV test. An Rh and other antibodies test will be done during your first trimester. This looks for antibodies that may cross the placenta and affect the fetus. In addition, between 10-13 weeks of the pregnancy a first-trimester screen test is recommended which consists of blood tests and an ultrasound.
Read more about the full tests in the first trimester
Have A List Of Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Depending on your unique situation, you may have many different questions for your doctor. Here are our top 10 questions all women should ask at their first prenatal visit:
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How Often Do I Need To Have Prenatal Checkups
Your first prenatal visit should be scheduled as soon as you think you are pregnant. As the pregnancy progresses, prenatal checkups will happen more regularly and may include special tests.
A typical schedule for prenatal checkups is:
- Between Weeks 4-28. Youll have an appointment once a month.
- Between Weeks 28-36. Youll start having appointments twice a month.
- After week 36. Youll have weekly appointments.
If your pregnancy is high-risk, which depends on factors like the patients age, weight, and other health problems or concerns, your OBGYN at Virginia Womens Health Associates may recommend more frequent prenatal visits to closely monitor your pregnancy.
Will I See My Baby On An Ultrasound At My First Prenatal Visit
Most practitioners do a prenatal ultrasound during the first visit, which is the most accurate way of dating a pregnancy. However, some docs wait until a bit later, when theres more to see.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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Gather Important Medical Information Before You Go
Before you arrive at your appointment, youll want to educate yourself about your medical history. This medical history is more extensive than ones taken at check-ups, so make sure you have knowledge of the following details.
Your partners medical history will also affect the health of your baby, so he should attend this appointment if possible. If you or your partner were adopted, or if you used a donor egg or sperm, you may have less genetic information available to you, but your doctor will help you interpret the information you do have.
Make sure to include:
- General Medical History: Include any medical problems you have or have had. List types, dates, and treatments if applicable. Your doctor may classify your pregnancy as high-risk if you suffer from health problems including diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, epilepsy, or high blood pressure.
- Family Medical History: Your baby may be at higher risk for certain genetic disorders if they run in your family or your partners family. Ask family members about genetic disorders and birth defect history. Depending on your family medical history, your ethnic background, and other factors, your provider may recommend different screenings or tests. For example, people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage have an increased risk of Cystic Fibrosis and Tay-Sachs Disease, and people of African descent have an increased risk of sickle cell disease.
Second Trimester: Questions To Ask During Prenatal Appointments
During your second trimester, things really start to pick up! Youre announcing your pregnancy and your baby is really going to start to grow. Youre feeling great, but you likely have a lot of questions to go along with the changes of trimester two. Now that your body is changing even more, youre likely to have some additional questions for your doctor. Here are some great ones to ask throughout your second trimester prenatal appointments:
- How is my childs development?
- What tests should I get done this trimester?
- What is my projected delivery date?
- How much weight should I be gaining?
- What symptoms are normal? What symptoms are abnormal?
- What complications can arise this trimester?
- What kind of exercising can I do?
- Is sex still safe?
- When will I feel my baby move and kick? When will my partner feel it?
- Is spotting normal in the second trimester?
- Can I color my hair during the second trimester?
- What should I be eating, and shouldnt I be eating more?
- What types of pain management will I have access to during labor?
- When should I start sleeping on my side?
- Are my prescription medications safe to continue taking?
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Why Is Prenatal Care Important
Regular appointments with your health care provider throughout your pregnancy are important to ensure the health of you and your baby. In addition to medical care, prenatal care includes education on pregnancy and childbirth, plus counseling and support.
Frequent visits with your health care provider allow you to follow the progress of your baby’s development. Visits also give you the opportunity to ask questions. Also, most health care providers welcome your partner at each visit, as well as interested family members.
First Trimester Prenatal Appointments: What To Expect
Your first trimester prenatal appointment, which often takes place during the second month of pregnancy, is usually the longest one as it encompasses a full recording of your medical, gynecological and obstetrical history as well as your mental health history. Your practitioner will ask about any medications you take, any diseases youve been exposed to and shell want to know your partners medical details, too.
Next, youll have a check-up thatll include your height, weight, blood pressure and a pelvic exam as well as confirmation of your pregnancy. A number of tests will follow, such as urine, bloodwork, genetic carrier screening, STDs, a pap smear and a blood sugar test.
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What To Expect At Your First Prenatal Appointment
You just took a pregnancy test and its positive. Now what? Heres the lowdown on everything you need to know to prepare for your first prenatal visit.
The moment you pee on that stick and get a positive pregnancy test result, your whole world changes. Youre probably feeling excited, anxious and even a little bewildered by what to do next. What sorts of tests do you need? What vitamins do you have to take?When will you get to hear your babys heartbeat or see that first ultrasound? Well, slow down. The first step is to book time to see a medical professional. Here are some of your options and what to expect at your first prenatal appointment.
Basic Questions To Ask
I know how overwhelming it is to walk into your first prenatal appointment, especially if this is your first child. You have no idea what to expect and need some clarity on certain things. This appointment is really to see how your baby is doing and to talk about you and your spouses family history.
Your doctor will be asking you a lot of questions and will probably answer a lot of your without even asking. Thats why I wrote my top 10 questions for my midwife, to ensure that I didnt forget the most important things. Here are the 10 basic questions you should ask your provider at your appointment.
1. What Foods SHOULD/SHOULDNT I be eating?
Most doctors will give you a list! But be sure that you ask about anything specific to your diet.
2. How much weight should I gain?
I want to encourage you to not worry about your weight. My midwife never once questioned my weight and even encouraged me not to worry about it. But, knowing how much they would like you to gain just gives you an idea of who you are doing.
3. What should exercise look like for me?
My doctor recommended a light workout a couple of days a week, but she encouraged me just to walk! I actually had to purchase a belly support band, which helped me to continue walking up until birth.
4. How often do I come in for appointments?
5. How many ultrasounds do I have? And at what weeks?
10. Who will deliver my baby?
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Tests At Your First Appointment
Your midwife will ask if they can:
- measure your height and weight, and work out your body mass index
- measure your blood pressure and test your urine for signs of pre-eclampsia
- take a blood test to see if you have HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B
They’ll also offer you a blood test for sickle cell and thalassaemia if they think there’s a high chance you might have them. They’ll work out your chance by asking some questions.
Of The Most Important Questions To Ask Your Doctor At Your First Prenatal Visit
Like I said earlier, I had a LOT of questions. I found that bring a notebook helped me to leave feeling good about my appointment. Next time, Ill start a journal as soon as I get a positive pregnancy test because it feels like FOREVER before your 8 week appointment.
Im going to share the MOST Important Questions to ask your Doctor at your First Prenatal Visit from my experience as a first time mom. I hope this helps you!
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Appointments With Your Gp
Confirming your pregnancy with your GP – HSE mychild.ie
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If you register for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, your first appointment is with your GP.
You will see your GP at least 5 times during your pregnancy.
Youll receive similar free appointments if you have private care and have signed up for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme.
Your GP will do antenatal checks and give you information on how to have a healthy pregnancy. They might discuss folic acid, exercise, healthy eating and vaccines with you.
Your GP will offer you a flu vaccine during one of your appointments. The flu season begins in October and finishes at the end of April. You may be charged for the administration of the flu vaccine if you don’t have a medical card.
Your GP will also offer you a vaccination to protect your baby from whooping cough between 16 to 36 weeks. This is available free of charge.
Yout Very First Appointment
Between 6-10 weeks will usually be your first appointment. It tends to depend on when you find out you are pregnant and when your doctor has an appointment available. 8 weeks is the most common time for the first doctor visit. Then you should be having an appointment every 4 weeks for the 1st trimester and into the 2nd.
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Finding Out About Your Baby
Your doctor or midwife will calculate how many weeks you have been pregnant and the due date of your baby. If youre not sure when your last period was, they may schedule a dating scan. This is an ultrasound that will help determine which week of pregnancy you are in.
They will also offer a test to see if your baby is at high risk of having Down syndrome or other abnormalities. Other tests may be suggested such as an amniocentesis, or chorionic villus sampling if you are over 35 years old or have a higher than normal risk of problems.
What Screenings And Tests Do I Need
At your first prenatal visit, its common for the doctor to perform a physical exam. This physical exam may include a pap smear and ultrasound, amongst other tests and screenings.1 Hearing words like exam and screenings can be scary, but we promise there is nothing to fear. The exam is solely a preliminary check to make sure it is safe for Baby to arrive. Some of the exam may be general, while other parts may be based on your medical history. Hop down to Question #2 for more on medical history.
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