Most health care providers will schedule your first prenatal exam at about 8 weeks or later, unless you have a medical condition or have experienced bleeding or other symptoms. Your first visit will usually be the longest. Here’s what usually happens at that first appointment:
You’ll fill out a lot of forms. Your health care provider will want to get a full health history from you that usually includes a medical history of you and your partner as well. There will also be insurance forms, questions about medications you’re taking, your menstrual cycles, any conditions you may have and previous pregnancies.
They’ll check your weight, height, blood pressure and urine. A nurse or your care provider will graph your weight gain over the course of your pregnancy and monitor your blood pressure. Urine tests check for proteins, bacteria, sugars, ketones or signs of dehydration.
Your health care provider will calculate your due date based on the first day of your last period and the length of your cycle.
Your health care provider will explain what prenatal tests are available and will help you schedule your first ultrasound. A nuchal scan, multiple marker screening, genetic carrier screening and CVS testing are all ways to determine if your baby is at risk for certain genetic issues.
Your health care provider will order blood tests which will include blood type, Rh status, HIV testing, a check for anemia, hepatitis, syphillis and other conditions.
A pelvic exam, which usually includes a Pap smear, cultures for STDs and an assessment of the size and position of your uterus. If you are after 8 weeks, you may also be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat on Doppler! After the heart rate is detected, the odds of carrying a healthy baby to term approach 90 percent.
Your health care provider should take some time to answer your questions, let you know what to expect during pregnancy and counsel you on diet, exercise, smoking, drinking, changing the cat box and other pregnancy lifestyle issues.
And finally, your health care provider should schedule your next appointment (usually in a month) and give you contact information in case you need to call him or her after hours.
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