To have a healthy pregnancy, prenatal care is considered as a very important part of it. Whether you chose an obstetrician, a physician or a nurse, prenatal care is the key to check your health as well as your baby’s health during your pregnancy. Here are certain things that you should expect at the first prenatal appointment.
As soon as you feel you are pregnant, schedule your first appointment with the doctor. Keep ample of your time aside for the visit because you and your health provider will have lots of things to talk and discuss about. You should also consider taking your partner along with you.
Followings are the basic:
• Your Medical History- While on your visit to health provider you will be asked many questions which will include the details about your past pregnancy, menstrual cycle, use of contraceptives, other medical conditions and allergies. It is advisable to share if there is any family history of congenital abnormality or genetic disease.
Always be sure to mention all the sensitive issues, such as past drug use or abortion. Do not forget that the information you share will help your health care provider in taking best care of your health and your baby.
• Physical Examination- Your health care provider will check your height, weight and blood pressure. He will listen to your heart and assess your health overall.
• Pelvic examination- Your health care provider will examine your vagina and uterus for any abnormality or infection. You may also need a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Changes in the size of your uterus can help to confirm the stage of your pregnancy.
• Urine test- Examination of your urine can show kidney or bladder infection. The presence of too much protein or sugar in your urine may suggest kidney disease or diabetes.
• Blood tests- Your health care provider will ask you to do the blood tests to determine the blood type, including Rh factor-a specific protein on the surface of the red blood cells. Blood tests can reveal whether you have been exposed to measles, syphilis, mumps, hepatitis B or rubella. You may also be asked to do the test of HIV.
• Other lifestyle issues- Your health care provider will discuss the importance of exercise, nutrition,prenatal vitamins and other lifestyle issues. He will also discuss about your working environment and if you smoke then you will be suggested to quit smoking.
Remember, your health care provider is there to take care of throughout your pregnancy. The
prenatal appointments are the best time to clear all your doubts and concern regarding your health and also the health of your baby.
As soon as you feel you are pregnant, schedule your first appointment with the doctor. Keep ample of your time aside for the visit because you and your health provider will have lots of things to talk and discuss about. You should also consider taking your partner along with you.
Followings are the basic:
• Your Medical History- While on your visit to health provider you will be asked many questions which will include the details about your past pregnancy, menstrual cycle, use of contraceptives, other medical conditions and allergies. It is advisable to share if there is any family history of congenital abnormality or genetic disease.
Always be sure to mention all the sensitive issues, such as past drug use or abortion. Do not forget that the information you share will help your health care provider in taking best care of your health and your baby.
• Physical Examination- Your health care provider will check your height, weight and blood pressure. He will listen to your heart and assess your health overall.
• Pelvic examination- Your health care provider will examine your vagina and uterus for any abnormality or infection. You may also need a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Changes in the size of your uterus can help to confirm the stage of your pregnancy.
• Urine test- Examination of your urine can show kidney or bladder infection. The presence of too much protein or sugar in your urine may suggest kidney disease or diabetes.
• Blood tests- Your health care provider will ask you to do the blood tests to determine the blood type, including Rh factor-a specific protein on the surface of the red blood cells. Blood tests can reveal whether you have been exposed to measles, syphilis, mumps, hepatitis B or rubella. You may also be asked to do the test of HIV.
• Other lifestyle issues- Your health care provider will discuss the importance of exercise, nutrition,prenatal vitamins and other lifestyle issues. He will also discuss about your working environment and if you smoke then you will be suggested to quit smoking.
Remember, your health care provider is there to take care of throughout your pregnancy. The
prenatal appointments are the best time to clear all your doubts and concern regarding your health and also the health of your baby.
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