What should I expect from my first prenatal visit?

If you are an expecting mother you might be feeling nervous about your fist visit to your OBGYN. This is completely normal. To help ease the nerves, here is some information on what you should expect during your first visit.

Make a list of your health history

Your OBGYN will want to know the answer to the following topics^1,2:

• your previous medical conditions
• family health conditions
• current medications you are taking
• exposure to infections
• allergies
• your diet and exercise routines
• past pregnancies issues

What you will be doing

Your OBGYN will try to predict an official due date during your first visit. If you know the day you conceived or when you had your last period be sure to mention it¹. Your doctor will have you undergo an ultrasound to get a better estimate of your due date. The due date will help your doctor

• measure the growth of the fetus,
• track the progress of your pregnancy, and
• set the timing for future testing².

At your first visit, there will be testing that includes¹:

• a pelvic exam,
• a pap smear,
• a breast exam,
• measuring blood-pressure, and
• taking your weight.

Your OBGYN will also check your urine to test for levels of protein and sugar. You will have blood work done to check blood type and glucose levels and test for

• Rh factor,
• anemia,
• syphilis,
• rubella, and
• Hepatitis B, among others².

These tests are done to help evaluate your body and ensure the pregnancy is progressing as it should. Because your baby is still so small, you may not be able to see him/her during an ultrasound until future visits¹.

More Information

The average pregnancy is around 280 days which is 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. However, most women give birth within two weeks of the estimated due date. Only around 5 percent of pregnancies are accurate to the given date by the gynecologist².

Feel free to come prepared with any specific questions you may have about your pregnancy. Good examples of questions include³:

• Who should I call when I have questions?
• When do bleeding and cramping become an issue?
• How do I know if my baby and I are getting what we need?
• When will my next prenatal visit be scheduled?

 
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1- The First Prenatal Appointment. (n.d.). Retrieved February 08, 2017, from http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/first-prenatal-appointment.aspx

2- Bilich, K. A. (2015, July 28). Your First Prenatal Visit. Retrieved February 08, 2017, from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/stages/1st-trimester-tests/first-prenatal-visit/

3- Your First Prenatal Visit. (2016, September 02). Retrieved February 08, 2017, from http://americanpregnancy.org/planning/first-prenatal-visit/