Your mind likely started racing with ideas for what to do next when you received a positive result from the pregnancy tests.
Before you begin to look for cribs or debate daycare, keep in mind that pregnancy is not a race, but a marathon. Take a seat and take some deep breathes.
You’ll need to contact a healthcare professional — such as an Ob/Gyn, or a Midwife to begin your prenatal care. You and your healthcare provider can ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetal growth by scheduling frequent prenatal appointments.
Your first prenatal visit is the perfect opportunity to ask all those questions you’ve had since the second line on your stick appeared. This is your first opportunity to plan and see how your pregnancy progresses.
You can prepare for your first visit to the doctor by talking to Kellann Gaines El Hunter, CNM.
When should your first prenatal visit be scheduled?
You don’t have to wait. Contact a healthcare professional as soon as you receive a positive result from your home pregnancy test.
They’ll probably want to schedule your first prenatal visit between 8 and 10 weeks following the start of your last period. This will be the first question they ask you, so knowing when your last period began is helpful. Don’t worry if you can’t remember. They’ll tell you when they need to see you, based on the other factors.
Gaines El Hunter says that if you contact an Ob/Gyn, or a midwife to let them know that your pregnancy test is positive, they may ask about your medical history and health status. If you don’t take a Prenatal Vitamin and you want to know what type they recommend, you can ask them during your first call. You can ask about any other urgent questions you have, such as if the medication you are taking is safe.
Do not feel the need to ask every question at once. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions during your appointment. You can use the first contact to ask for the information you need in order to prepare yourself before your appointment.
What happens during your first prenatal appointment
You may receive different treatment depending on the health of you and your healthcare provider. However, a first appointment for a pregnant woman will usually include several tests, questions, and allowing you time to ask questions.
Different providers will do things differently, but you should expect to see your provider frequently throughout your pregnancy. This is to ensure that you are doing well and the fetus develops properly. Gaines El Hunter says that prenatal visits allow doctors to identify any problems as early as they can.
What else can you expect during your first appointment?
Vital Stats
You can expect that your provider will ask you to weigh yourself during your first visit. Also, they’ll take your height. Your blood pressure and temperature will also be taken.
Urine Sample
You can expect that your provider will ask you to provide a urine sample at your first prenatal appointment (and every subsequent one).
Your urine will be tested to confirm pregnancy, your kidney function as well as for protein and other things.
Blood Test
As part of your initial prenatal appointment, you will probably need to have some blood drawn. Your blood will be tested to determine your overall health, as well as any conditions that may affect you and your fetus.
Your provider will test your blood during your first trimester to determine your type of blood and check for:
- Anemia (low Iron) and other blood issues.
- Immunity against rubella
- Hepatitis B
- Gene for Cystic Fibrosis
- Sickle Cell Anemia, and other Blood Disorders
- Sexually transmitted diseases and Infections.
Health History
Your healthcare provider may ask you questions about your medical history and your biological family to customize your prenatal care.
Gaines El Hunter says, “The better we know your health history and that of your family members on both sides, we will be able to care for you. We can also ensure a healthy fetal growth throughout your pregnancy.” You don’t have to know every detail about the diseases and conditions in your family. It is important to provide any information.
Your provider might ask questions like:
- What day was your last period on?
- This is your first pregnancy.
- Have you had a history with miscarriages, gynecological problems or both?
- Have you ever had a serious medical condition, such as lung disease or cardiac disease in the past?
- Are you aware that you or your fetus may be affected by genetic disorders?
- Are you a smoker, vaper, excessive alcohol drinker?
- What medication are you currently on?
- Do you have any symptoms that are concerning?
Breast and pelvic exam
You will be asked to remove your clothes and wear a hospital gown in preparation for the examination of your breasts or pelvis. It may be helpful to wear clothing that you can easily slip out of. It’s also a good idea for future prenatal visits. Prenatal appointments will require you to change into a gown.
Your provider will examine your breasts to check for lumps or swelling.
The doctor will also perform a Pelvic Exam in order to examine your uterus and vagina as well as your ovaries, fallopian tube, and cervix. The doctor may also perform a Pap smear, or swab the cervix in order to check for abnormalities. They will also test for sexually-transmitted diseases and infections.
- Chlamydia.
- Gonorrhea.
- HIV.
- HPV
- Syphilis.
Transvaginal ultrasound
Your provider may do a Transvaginal Ultrasound at your first prenatal appointment, depending on your stage of pregnancy. It is performed using a “wand” which is inserted into your vagina. It projects real-time pictures on a screen using sound waves.
Transvaginal Ultrasounds can be used by your doctor to confirm that your pregnancy is proceeding in a healthy manner and to find out how far you are along in your pregnancy.
Your provider will use Doppler or a traditional Ultrasound to check your fetal’s heartbeat if your first prenatal visit is later in pregnancy. The fetus’ heartbeat is likely to be too weak for these devices before that.
Due date calculation
Your healthcare provider will estimate your due date based on your ultrasound, the first day of last period and other factors.
Normaly, the due date is 280 days after your last period. This is 40 weeks, or roughly 10 months. If your cycles aren’t normal, or don’t have 28 days per cycle, then your due date may be different than the “280-day rule.”
Gaines El Hunter explains that due dates are not meant to be taken seriously.
The actual date of birth can differ from the estimated date.
Very few babies are born on the due date. Consider it more of a guideline to help you determine when may go into labor than the end-all, be-all due date.
Prenatal care plan
It can be useful to plan out your future prenatal visits before you leave your first appointment. You can then mark them off on your calendar, and make any necessary arrangements ahead of time.
Your prenatal care schedule will be determined by any risk factors or special circumstances you may have. In general, follow-up appointments should be scheduled as follows:
- Each four-week period until the 28th week of pregnancy.
- From 28-36 weeks, every two to three weeks.
- Weekly until delivery, 36 weeks.
Questions you should ask during your first prenatal visit
You may have a lot on your mind when you meet with your provider. Gaines El Hunter recommends that you write down all questions and bring them to your first visit.
Here are some common questions that you may have to start with:
- Can I continue to take the current medication?
- What type of prenatal vitamin do you recommend?
- What should I change in my Diet?
- It’s OK to continue exercising or start a new workout routine?
- What are the symptoms or signs that I should report to you immediately?
What to expect at your next prenatal appointment
You will visit your doctor regularly as your pregnancy progresses to ensure that it is going well. Your weight, blood pressure and urine will be measured at each prenatal visit. Your provider will check the development of your fetus by measuring the uterus. The fetal heartbeat will also be checked, initially with a transvaginal ultrasonography and then with less intrusive equipment, such as ultrasound or Doppler.
Your provider may also recommend additional tests depending on your specific condition or special needs.
Your doctor will discuss labor and birth as you progress in pregnancy. Also, they may perform an internal exam to examine your cervix at the lower end of your abdomen for signs of thinning or opening.
