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WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST PRENATAL APPOINTMENT

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WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST PRENATAL APPOINTMENT

  • Your positive pregnancy results are great news and the start of a long and, hopefully, rewarding journey.
  • Joining you on this journey will be your practitioner, who will be in the loop for the entire time.
  • The positive pregnancy results will lead to your very first prenatal appointment, which is going to be the longest and most detailed out of the many regular medical appointments you will have during your pregnancy.
  • It will include a ton of tests and lots of information gathering. It will also feature advice on the lifestyles you will have to make.
  • Let’s look at your first prenatal appointment in detail, including how you can prepare and what will happen there:

When to Schedule It?

  • Good prenatal care is important to a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
  • You need to involve your practitioner as soon as possible.
  • Call them and make an appointment as soon as you get your test results back.
  • However, the first prenatal appointment does not usually take place until the second month of pregnancy.
  • Some practitioners may ask you to come in immediately, but having to wait should not deter you from “acting” pregnant.
  • You still need to take the required care, avoid off-limit foods and alcohol, and introduce the necessary prenatal supplements into your diet.
  • Still, you should definitely ask the office to move up your appointment if you have any concerns.

How to Prepare for the Prenatal Appointment?

Once you have the date for your first prenatal appointment set, you need to make sure you prepare for it appropriately.

First, you will need to note down some necessary health facts, such as:

  1. Your personal medical history.
  2. Your mental health history.
  3. Your obstetrical history.
  4. Your gynecological history.
  5. Any possible disease exposure.
  • Make sure to list down any medication you currently have at home and also check out any diseases or medical problems that seem to run in the family.
  • Finally, make a list of all the questions you might have. It’s better to have them answered and all queries cleared at the start of your pregnancy.

What to Expect?

Each practitioner has their list of things to do on a first prenatal appointment, but they usually perform certain tests and ask questions related to your medical history and condition.

Here’s a list of what you can expect:

  1. A check-up that includes a general health examination, blood pressure tests, varicose vein examinations, noting down the height and weight, a pelvic exam, and taking note of the size of the uterus.
  2. A confirmation of your pregnancy through tests.
  3. More tests, including a urine examination, tests for STDs, bloodwork, a blood glucose reading, and a pap smear test.
  4. An official expected delivery period, and
  5. A lengthy chat about what you need to keep you and the baby healthy throughout the pregnancy.