preparing for your prenatal appointment

Pregnancy can be a bit scary. Your body is rapidly changing and your hormone levels vary from minute to minute. Aside from nausea and moodiness, you may feel anxious about growing, birthing, and raising a tiny person (rightly so). The more you know about what to expect at your prenatal appointments the more calm and confident you can feel walking into that office! Here are just a few things to keep in mind while preparing for your first prenatal appointment.

what to bring

o water (I bring water everywhere, plus you're gonna have to provide a urine sample)
o folder for miscellaneous forms
o notebook and inkpen
o the date of the first day of your last menstrual period (helps determine your due date!)

time

You should plan to be there at least an hour, if not longer. Like with any appointment it helps to arrive a few minutes early to get a head start on all of the...

forms

SO. MANY. FORMS. Be prepared to fill out a ton of health history forms and possibly a few waivers. If you're lucky your provider will just ask you the questions and type your information into their system, or they may send you the forms electronically before your visit. You may want to bring a folder to hold all of the copies and educational pamphlets you'll get to take home.

health history

In addition to your own health history, your provider will want to know about your family's medical history. Have any women in your family experienced gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, toxemia, miscarriage, or other complications during pregnancy? How about seizures or cancer? Kidney problems or genetic issues? What about the baby's father's family? If you aren't sure, you may want to ask your family about their medical history. Your provider will use this information to determine if you might be at risk for any pregnancy complications or if your baby could have a hereditary disease or defect. 

labs

When you first arrive you will likely be asked to provide a urine sample. Your urine will be tested for HCG levels, protein, and signs of infection. Make sure you drink plenty of water on the way to your appointment! You'll also have a few vials of blood drawn, which will be sent off to check your type and Rh, iron levels, signs of infection or STD. Usually no news is good news, but make sure to verify that your provider will contact you if there are any issues.

physical

Your provider will want a baseline weight and blood pressure, which will both be tracked at every appointment. It's likely they'll check your height so your BMI can be determined. Your midwife or OB may palpate your abdomen to feel if your uterus is the correct size for your stage of pregnancy. Some providers will want to perform a pelvic exam to check for any infections or abnormal cells, which involves a speculum and quick swab of your cervix. Here's a little secret about me... I had never had a pelvic exam until I became pregnant for the first time! It's not comfortable but isn't unbearable, sort of like very light menstrual cramping as your body reacts to the swab. Your care provider may also examine your breasts for any signs of cancer or abnormality.

ultrasound

It is unlikely that you'll have an ultrasound at your first appointment, depending on how far along you are. If you are unsure about your potential due date they may perform a dating scan to get a better idea. You won't be able to hear the baby's heart beating yet, but you might be able to see it!

Your prenatal care may vary from my experience, especially if you choose an OB/GYN. I was able to receive care from midwives, and I highly recommend it if you have a low-risk pregnancy! Take time to weigh your options and make the best decision for you and your family.

drop a comment below if you have questions about what to expect, or tell me how your first appointment varied from mine!