By Anna Stryker, CNM Show
The first prenatal visit is one of the longest appointments a woman will have during pregnancy, with several tests and a lot of important information conveyed.During pregnancy, you need regular prenatal visits to keep yourself and the pregnancy healthy. These visits are called prenatal care appointments. In these visits, you might meet with an OB/Gyn, a midwife or a nurse practitioner. During pregnancy, you'll meet with your prenatal care provider every four weeks until you are about 28 weeks (7 months) pregnant. After that, you'll come every two weeks. Then, in your last month of pregnancy, we'll want to see you weekly. Your first appointment will likely be the longest of the many prenatal visits to come. At that visit, we will discuss your overall health, answer your first round of questions and help you prepare for the next nine months. Most women make an appointment after they get a positive result from a home pregnancy test. Often, this is one or two weeks after a missed period. Call us at 505-272-2245, and we will schedule your first prenatal appointment between six and eight weeks of pregnancy. What to ExpectConfirming the PregnancySometimes, home pregnancy tests give false positives—it says you are pregnant, but you aren't. And unfortunately, approximately one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, often early in pregnancy. Before we do any other tests, we'll first confirm your pregnancy with a urine test and blood draw. Estimating Your Due DateWe’ll also ask about your periods:
This information helps us estimate your due date—when we expect the baby to come. The due date is approximately nine months from the first day of your last period. We’ll also discuss whether you want to continue with the pregnancy. Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. It’s OK to not immediately know how you feel about being pregnant, or what you want to do. At your first prenatal visit, we can talk you through your options. We will support you in whatever you decide. Personal and Family Medical HistoryBe prepared to discuss your personal and family medical history. This information helps us determine whether the embryo might be at risk for health problems. Some of the topics we'll discuss include:
At your first visit, we'll also discuss social concerns, such as whether you feel safe at home and at work. Your employer is required to give you accommodations if your job is unsafe for pregnancy. If you don’t feel safe, we can discuss options to manage that situation. Lab TestsYou’ll also get a battery of tests to examine the health of you and your baby. These can include blood and urine tests to look for:
Depending on your age and health history, your may also be offered an optional blood test called noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). This screening can be done as early as nine weeks and can determine whether the embryo may be at risk for genetic conditions such as:
Physical ExamWe’ll check your vitals such as blood pressure and calculate your body mass index to determine how much weight you should gain during pregnancy. We’ll also do a head-to-toe physical exam that may include a breast exam, pelvic exam and screenings of your heart, lungs and thyroid. If you’re due for a Pap smear to check for cervical cancer, we can also do that test at the first visit. We may also try to find out how big your uterus is and if this corresponds to how many weeks pregnant you think you are. We can usually hear fetal heart tones with a doppler after 10 weeks. Ultrasound
— Anna Stryker, CNM However, if you’re hoping to learn whether you’re having a boy or girl, you'll have to wait a bit longer! The baby won't be that apparent on ultrasound until approximately 20 weeks. Education and ResourcesEducation is a big part of prenatal care. All patients who deliver at UNM Hospital get access to:
Your first prenatal appointment might seem a bit overwhelming. But we are here for you. We will give you all the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy. And we’ll be by your side, all the way. To find out whether you or a loved one might benefit from Ob/Gyn care What is usually done at first prenatal visit?What's usually done at the first prenatal visit? Your first visit may include a full physical exam, including breast and pelvic exams, as well as some routine blood and urine tests. You will spend time talking to us about what to expect during your your first trimester and the rest of your pregnancy.
What are 7 things that happen during a woman's first prenatal appointment?Set aside time for the first visit to go over your medical history and talk about any risk factors for pregnancy problems that you may have.. Medical history. Your health care provider might ask about: ... . Due date. ... . Physical exam. ... . Lab tests. ... . Tests for fetal concerns. ... . Lifestyle issues. ... . Discomforts of pregnancy.. Will I get an ultrasound at my first appointment?No matter which type of provider you choose, an initial appointment usually includes lab tests and an ultrasound, though in some circumstances the provider may schedule the ultrasound at a later date.
What does the OB do at your first appointment?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.
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