First Trimester Prenatal Visits

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You and Your Doctor - The First Trimester
You and Your Doctor - The First Trimester
You and your obstetrician will be spending a great deal of time together during the course of your pregnancy. Regular office visits. Telephones calls with questions. Regular advice and counsel. A healthier, happier pregnancy is a team effort and your doctor is a key member of that team.

Most women look forward to their pre-natal visits to the doctor. It's a good time to find answers and to give them, as well. Your doctor will keep a close watch on you and your baby by asking questions.

Today, during pre-natal visits, you'll be able to hear your baby's heart beating and see baby in a sonogram, perfect for posting on the refrigerator.

In addition to medical care, your obstetrician will also provide information on healthy living to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Take this advice to heart. You'll also learn from your doctor what to expect at delivery time and how to best prepare for it.

Your First Pre-Natal Visit
As soon as you know you're pregnant, schedule your first visit with your obstetrician.

This will be a longer-than-usual visit to provide time for the doctor to take a history, conduct a physical exam, take blood and urine samples for testing, determine your due date and develop a schedule to keep you on track for the next nine months.

Your Medical History
Your doctor needs the straight facts from you regarding lifestyle issues, past health problems and a complete obstetric history. This is not a time to hide important information. If you drink, your doctor should know. Abuse drugs? Now's the time to speak up.

You might consider writing your own medical history including information on general medical conditions, treatments, medications, gynecological history and the names and contact information of doctors who currently treat you or have treated you in the past. It's helpful to get your thoughts in order to avoid missing some key medical fact.

Your First Pregnancy Physical
Your first pregnancy physical is important for a couple of reasons.

First, it identifies potential problems early in the pregnancy. Often, problems can be eliminated or lessened by simple changes in lifestyle.

Second, this first physical will establish the baseline readings required for your doctor to determine how your body changes and adapts during the full term of pregnancy.

What to expect
Eyes, ears, nose and throat

Thyroid gland

Breast exam

Heart, lungs and internal organs

Skin

Arms, legs, abdomen and back

Pelvic examination to check the health of cervix, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. The pelvis is assessed to determine if it is narrow and may cause a difficult birth.

Lab Tests
Your doctor will take urine and blood samples for laboratory testing. A pap smear is also routine.

The urinalysis reveals high or low levels of sugar, protein and the presence of bacteria. Tests may reveal the presence of diabetes or bladder and kidney problems.

The blood test is conducted to identify anemia (low red blood cell count), infections, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV virus, immunity to rubella, the patient's blood type and Rh factor.

The pap test will reveal cervical infections, cancer or pre-cancerous conditions and the presence of Chlamydia, HPV (human papiloma virus) and Gonorrhea - three common STDs.