first trimester of pregnancy doctor visits

First trimester of pregnancy doctor visits how to#
First trimester of pregnancy doctor visits series#
First trimester of pregnancy doctor visits free#

Toward the end of the second trimester, you will also need to have glucose screening to test for gestational diabetes and your blood count will be evaluated for anemia.Īn ultrasound is typically preformed around 18 to 20 weeks to assess fetal development and at this point you can usually find out the sex of your baby. Upon entering the third trimester, appointments should be scheduled for once every two weeks and visit frequency should increase to once a week for the last month of pregnancy, unless your care provider determines otherwise.Īt each prenatal care appointment, medical staff will take your blood pressure, check the fetal heartbeat, and order lab work to ensure that you and your baby are doing well. What to Expect in Routine Prenatal CareĪfter the first prenatal appointment, you should visit your care provider once every four weeks during the first two trimesters.

First trimester of pregnancy doctor visits free#

Come prepared with any questions or concerns you have, and feel free to bring your partner along so they can participate actively throughout the pregnancy, too.

First trimester of pregnancy doctor visits how to#

Your first prenatal care appointment is a great opportunity to find out how to have a healthy pregnancy and discuss specific guidelines for work, exercise, diet, prenatal vitamins, and travel. You should always feel comfortable discussing your personal values and desires with your health care provider and specifying the kind of pregnancy experience you hope to have.

These are important – but general – tests and not a cause for concern however, your doctor will discuss options if you want to undergo additional testing for abnormalities.

First trimester of pregnancy doctor visits series#

In some cases, an early ultrasound may be needed, though this is not typically provided at the first doctor’s visit.Īt your initial pregnancy care appointment, your medical provider will order a series of labs including blood work and urine tests. You will also receive a physical and a pelvic exam and your projected due date will be determined, usually by counting out 40 weeks from your last period. A nurse practitioner or doctor will take a detailed medical history including a discussion of any preexisting conditions, medication use, and whether or not changes to your current health regimen need to be made. The first prenatal care appointment is exciting and busy. Usually, routine prenatal care is just that – routine – but if a medical issue arises at any time throughout the pregnancy, regular doctor appointments enable care providers to identify issues early and administer immediate, individualized care. Pregnancy is a dynamic time and routine prenatal care allows health providers to monitor fetal development and maternal well-being. Routine prenatal care is an important part of ensuring a healthy pregnancy and the safe delivery of your baby.