First Prenatal Visit

The first prenatal visit takes place soon after you have missed your first period. This implies that as soon as you suspect that you are pregnant, you need to take an appointment with your gynecologist. Usually, most of the practitioners schedule the first meet after a period of at least eight weeks has passed, since the last menses. The first prenatal visit is quite crucial, as a lot is discussed about the pregnancy and the doctor also gives you vital guidelines to be followed. Apart from this, if you want to know what to expect on first prenatal visit, read on.

What to Expect On First Prenatal Visit

Firstly, the medical practitioner would want to know about your health history. He/she might ask you the day your last period started, so as to determine your due date.
Problem in your menstrual cycle would be the next concern. He/she would want to know whether or not you experienced regular menstruation and how long it usually lasted. Any gynecological problem you have now or have had in the past is also questioned.
In case you have had any previous pregnancies, the practitioner would want to know a detailed report of how it went on.
Medical history, including chronic conditions and medications used to treat them, drug allergies, psychiatric problems and any past surgeries or hospitalizations would also be reviewed. Hereditary health problems can also be questioned.
Apart from this, the doctor would also want to know whether or not you indulge in habits such as smoking, drinking, and drug use. Remember, this could affect your pregnancy. He/she would want to know whether or not you have been a victim of abuse or have any other problems that affect your safety or emotional well-being.
You will have to go through a pelvic examination to check the progress of the baby.
Blood and urine tests can be ordered to make sure that you have a healthy start. If anyone in your family has a history of genetic disorder, like cystic fibrosis or Down’s syndrome, you would have to go through genetic tests to determine your own child’s risk.
Your current medications will be reviewed to ensure that they are safe to be taken during pregnancy. You might be given some prenatal vitamins to start with.
Weight issue would also be discussed and a healthy pregnancy weight gain/loss plan would be formulated. If you are currently underweight, you might be asked to gain a little more weight than other pregnant moms. However, if you are overweight, you would be asked to limit weight gain.
The health care practitioner will discuss your prenatal health care needs and will help you in your planning to meet them.
Your practitioner will also educate you about the various stages of pregnancy, the type of precautions you should exercise, the kind of food you should or should not eat, and so on. He/she would provide you with booklets concerning health, dietary guidelines and exercise, which you can read over to get a better handle on your pregnancy.

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