Your First Prenatal Visit
Your first prenatal is a comprehensive exam that takes approximately one hour. It includes:
A Health History
We will record an overview of your personal, family and prenatal health. In addition, we’ll review your personal health habits, such as smoking and alcohol use. Also, be sure to tell us if you’ve had any recent viruses, rashes or infections.
A Physical Exam
- Pelvic exam and pap test
- Blood pressure check
- Weight
- Blood analysis: including blood type, Rh status and a complete blood count. Your blood will also be tested for infectious diseases that have the potential to harm the developing fetus and for immunity to rubella or German measles
- Urine analysis: for levels of sugar, protein and signs of infection
Subsequent Prenatal Visits
At all visits, your general health and your baby’s growth and development will be carefully monitored. During early pregnancy, you will be offered the opportunity to have screening studies to evaluate the fetus, such as an early risk assessment, or if over age 35, a chorionic villus sampling (CVS). During weeks 18 through 20, a comprehensive ultrasound, called a fetal survey, will be done to check fetal development.
As your pregnancy progresses, your care provider will listen to the fetal heart tones and check the height of the top of the uterus. Your blood pressure and weight will be monitored and you will always have an opportunity to discuss any concerns. As you approach your due date, your provider will begin checking your cervix for any changes that signal impending labor and will also determine the position of the baby.
Your particular schedule will vary according to any special needs that you or your baby may have. Here is a general guideline for the timing of prenatal visits:
Months one through seven:
Monthly
Month 8
Every two weeks
Month 9 through delivery
Weekly
High-Risk Pregnancy
Our obstetricians are also prepared to care for women with high-risk concerns such as maternal age, a previous problem pregnancy or maternal chronic illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. |