What You Should Expect From Your First Prenatal Checkup

Jan 31, 2018 7:55:05 AM / by Voyage Healthcare Team posted in Health Tips, Women's Health

Congratulations, you're pregnant! One of the first things you'll want to do is schedule your first prenatal appointment.

Your first prenatal appointment will probably take place when you are between eight and ten weeks pregnant. It will probably be your longest prenatal visit too, so it’s a great time to gather information and ask any questions you have about your pregnancy.

Wondering what to expect? Here are 5 things that will happen at your first prenatal visit, plus tips to make the most of this appointment. 

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5 Things to Expect at Your Appointment

1. Extensive Health History 

The medical history your OB/GYN takes at your first prenatal appointment will be more detailed than the ones you’re used to providing at check-ups. Before leaving for your appointment, it’s important to gather information about your general medical history, as well as your family medical history, fertility history, infection exposure, and mental health history.

Wondering what documents to bring to your first prenatal visit? This guide to making the most of your first prenatal visit has a great resource section on information and documents you should be ready to provide.

2. Routine Procedures

At your first prenatal appointment, your provider will perform a number of routine procedures to make sure you’re healthy. This is an important part of making sure you’re ready to care for yourself and your baby over the course of your pregnancy.

Expect your provider to take your medical history, check your weight and blood pressure, and perform blood tests. These blood tests will test your blood type, Rh factor, exposure to hepatitis and syphilis, and immunity to German measles.

3. HIV Testing

An HIV test is typically considered routine screening during the early stages of pregnancy. You may opt out of HIV testing, but it is recommended

Most women will have a normal or negative result and will be relieved by having this information. If you do test positive, your provider will help you get the care you and your baby need. Modern medications can help prevent transmission of the virus to the baby, so getting tested for HIV can make a big difference in your baby’s life.

Who is at risk for HIV? Many people who are HIV positive do not belong to any particular high risk group, like drug users. Any person who is sexually active is at least potentially at risk for HIV infection.

4. Hearing the Fetal Heartbeat

One of the most exciting moments in your pregnancy is often hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. The fetal heartbeat is usually first detectable between 10 and 12 weeks, so depending on how far along you are, you may be able to hear the heartbeat at your first prenatal appointment.

However, if your first prenatal appointment falls earlier in your pregnancy, you may need to wait until your next appointment to hear your baby’s heartbeat.

5. Prenatal Care Plan

Part of your first prenatal visit is making a plan for the rest of your prenatal care. Your provider will go over your appointment schedule for the course of your pregnancy, and should also go over a plan for your general health. This plan should include recommendations for exercise, sexual activity, travel, and work.

You may be at the doctor more frequently than usual during your pregnancy, but it’s important not to put off other regular procedures, like your regular dental checkup. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, so it’s important to take good care of your oral health and visit your dentist during your pregnancy.

What if you get sick during pregnancy? Many medications are not safe during pregnancy. Check out this post to learn which medications to avoid, and to find safer alternatives for you and your baby. 

How Can You Prepare for Your First Prenatal Check-Up? 

You probably have a lot of questions for your provider, and your first prenatal appointment is a perfect time to get these questions answered. Before you go, writing down your questions is a great way to keep track of them and make sure they all get answered.

Wondering what should be included on that list? Check out this guide to Making the Most of Your First Prenatal Visit, including 10 Questions You Need to Ask Your Provider. 

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Voyage Healthcare Team

Written by Voyage Healthcare Team

Voyage Healthcare is an independently owned, multi-specialty healthcare clinic — guided by the doctors who care for families in the northwest metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

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