Prenatal Care: Your First Visit

Why is prenatal care important?

Regular appointments with your health care provider throughout your pregnancy are important to ensure the health of you and your baby. In addition to medical care, prenatal care includes education on pregnancy and childbirth, plus counseling and support.

Frequent visits with your health care provider allow you to follow the progress of your baby's development. Visits also give you the opportunity to ask questions. Most health care providers welcome your partner at each visit, as well as interested family members.

What happens on my first medical visit?

The first visit is designed to determine your general health and give your health care provider clues to the risk factors which may affect your pregnancy. It will typically be longer than future visits. The purpose of the initial visit is to:

• Determine your due date
• Find out your health history
• Explore the medical history of family members
• Determine if you have any pregnancy risk factors based on your age, health and/or personal and family history

You will be asked about previous pregnancies and surgeries, medical conditions and exposure to any contagious diseases. Also, notify your health care provider about any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) you have taken or are currently taking. We ask some very personal questions, but be assured that any information you give is strictly confidential.

Here are some questions to ask during your first prenatal visit:

• What is my due date?
• What is the size of my uterus?
• Are the symptoms I'm experiencing normal?
• Is it normal not to experience certain symptoms?
• What are the specific recommendations regarding weight gain, exercise and nutrition?
• What activities, foods, substances should I avoid?
• What exercises are safe? What kinds of exercise should I avoid?
• What should I know about sex during pregnancy?
• Do you recommend certain prenatal classes?
• For what symptoms should I call?
• What is the definition of a high risk pregnancy? Am I considered to be high risk?

Physical exam

A thorough physical exam is also part of the first visit. You are weighed and your blood pressure, heart, lungs and breasts are checked. The first visit also includes a pelvic exam.

Pelvic exam

During the pelvic exam, a Pap smear is taken to screen for cervical cancer and cultures are taken to detect sexually-transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea and chlamydia). In addition, a bimanual internal exam (with two fingers inside the vagina and one hand on the abdomen) will be performed to determine the size of your uterus and pelvis. This exam will also check for any abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes.

Your health care provider may listen for the baby's heartbeat with a special instrument called a doppler which uses ultrasound waves (high frequency sound waves). A doppler usually can not detect a baby's heartbeat before ten to twelve weeks of pregnancy.

Lab tests

Many lab tests are ordered at your first visit, including:

• The Complete Blood Count (CBC)