Booking in visit
Your first prenatal check
Getting your pregnancy care sorted out should be number one on your to-do list. Schedule your first prenatal check in the first six to eight weeks of your pregnancy. It’ll be the longest prenatal checkup you have through your pregnancy, assuming you have no complications. See also I'm pregnant - what now? During that first visit, your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife will…
Take a medical history
She’ll ask you about any medical conditions you or other family members may have, medications you may be taking, allergies and past hospitalizations, as well as any gynecological problems, sexually-transmitted diseases, and previous pregnancies, miscarriages, stillbirths or terminations. If you already have a child she’ll ask about the birth: if you previously had a vaginal birth or c-section it’ll have a bearing on how your labor and birth are managed this time round.
Ask about your lifestyle
You’ll be asked if you smoke or drink much alcohol, if you’ve been exposed to harmful toxins and whether you’re in an abusive relationship or under excessive stress.
She’ll also chat to you about staying well during your pregnancy, advising you on nutrition, including what foods to avoid; exercise; and normal pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and any more serious symptoms that might mean you need medical attention.
Calculate your due date
This is dated from the first day of your last period. If you’re not sure of your dates you may be offered a dating scan to help calculate your conception date. This information is important if you’re high risk for having a baby with an abnormality such as Down syndrome or spina bifida, as the tests that screen for these are more accurate if performed in a specific window.
Carry out routine checks
A blood sample will be screened to confirm your blood type and rhesus status, and will also be analyzed for range of sexually-transmitted diseases, exposure to diseases such as rubella, (German measles) and chicken pox, sickle cell anemia if you’re of African or Mediterranean descent, and cystic fibrosis.
She’ll also take a urine sample (later on in your pregnancy, high sugar levels can indicate gestational diabetes) and check your blood pressure to get a baseline – sharp rises later in your pregnancy could signal a potentially dangerous condition called pre-eclampsia. You may also be given a Pap smear to check for signs of cervical cancer.
Tell you about your prenatal screening options
She’ll explain the various prenatal screening tests that are available to you (see which scans or tests show up abnormalities?)
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.