What to Expect at Your First Prenatal Appointment

The first visit to the obgyn beverly hills is a milestone in pregnancy. An opportunity to cement the months ahead, it is a time when you and your obstetrician can plan precisely how to keep a woman long and healthy through these extraordinary months No matter what else differs, first visits tend to follow a familiar pattern. Anyways, without exception, at least a little advance planning can ensure a relatively pleasant and productive conversation with the obstetrician. Anticipate one that yields the most benefit from such an in-demand commodity as this period of tranquility with medical personnel on top form.

If possible, most practitioners would like to hear from patients as soon as they learn they are pregnant. That’s probably about eight weeks after the period of their last menstrual period. Some beverly hills obgyn may see you earlier if there are any potential chronic health issues, previous problems with pregnancies, or things going on that may be of concern. The earlier prenatal urgent gynelcological care starts, the more time your practitioner will have to monitor of potential issues and ensure you and your baby are healthy.

On your first visit, the doctor will take a health history, which generally includes factors related to your own health and that of members of your family (if anyone has had similar problems) and all previous pregnancies. The doctor may also inquire about any medications or supplements you use. Expect to hear it about your lifestyle [what do you eat? Or are you an individual who actually imbibes alcohol? If so, how much – one glass of wine a week only? Could be like, do you work out, do you have a desk job with a long commute, ever smoked or something like that? What average lights-out time would make sense?

You’ll usually have a complete physical examination at your initial prenatal visit. The your provider will ask you about your medical history and how your weight, blood pressure and general well-being have been. Your provider may also do a pelvic exam to find out the size and shape of your uterus. Here’s a cute way to visualize how far along you are in your pregnancy. Your provider might even use a Doppler to find the baby’s heartbeat, which is often the most exciting part of that appointment for many parents, as long as it’s early enough.

During your first prenatal appointment you will have several lab tests. Other lab tests will check your blood type, iron levels and whether you have an immunity to some diseases. And the your doctor will take tests, for among other infections, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis. Protein, sugar or infection in your urine can be an early signal of a some medical issues. these will also assist your doctor when assessing your pre-existing health status during your pregnancy.

Your first appointment for prenatal urgent gynelcological care may or may not include an ultrasound. Some doctors will do an early ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and see if there are multiple fetuses. Others may prefer to wait until around 12 weeks when the baby is more visible. And if, like most women, you do get that early ultrasound, you might see your baby’s heartbeat for the first time — an experience so powerful it will never leave you.

A physician should be able to provide you with an overview of lifestyle factors that impact pregnancy. Topics may be related to food, activity or exercise, and what activities may be safe. Your doctor may also encourage you to take prenatal vitamins with folic acid to assist in the healthy growth and development of your baby. Your doctor could potentially advise you on restrictions for your diet, either through undercooked meats and unpasteurized dairy products, or suggestion for morning sickness, but either way you want to feel like you are doing what you can to be healthy for your baby.

And it might be a good idea to review in advance a list of questions. Some common questions include:

• What should I, or shouldn’t I, eat?
• What’s a typical weight gain for me?
• What exercise should you not do while pregnant?
• When is my due date?
• When will I be seen for visits?

Bring your questions along, so that you’re walking away with answers. They’re usually good to do this in advance so that you don’t forget anything.

Your first stage of prenatal care sets the stage for all future care. Although in the first two trimesters, it’s more common to see your doctor every four weeks. Once 28 weeks have past, visits are more frequent, every other week. You’ll be seeing your doctor weekly for that last month or so, until you deliver. This regular monitoring makes it possible to monitor the evolution of the baby and to detect any variations in time.

I just want you to know, if you are kind of nervous about your first visit, that’s okay. Your first appointment will usually be just fine, coming from that level of nerves. Pregnancy is the biggest life changing event there is so naturally you’ll wonder what that very first appointment will be like, since it’s something you’ve never been through before. And talking to a partner, friend or family member may also help minimize your concerns. Keep in mind that your doctor is not against you but for you and doesn’t want to make things difficult. It is time for questions and concerns, the visit.

It’s useful to know what you might want to bring along. Do bring a list of all prescription medicines and supplements you take. That would be useful. You may also consider bringing the prenatal records from your other pregnancies (if you have them), so that we can compare their measurements, timeline, etc.

The first prenatal visit demonstrates that you are maintaining a healthy pregnancy. If you go into that first appointment with a good idea of what’s going to happen and some questions planned, it’ll smooth the way for your visit — and for a safe and happy pregnancy.