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First Trimester - Prenatal Care
Why is prenatal care important?
It's important to get early and regular prenatal care even if you feel fine. Why? Because most problems, if caught early, can be corrected before they become serious. Going to your doctor or midwife regularly may prevent you baby being born too soon or too small or even dying. Even if this is not your first pregnancy, prenatal care is critical to make sure you and your baby stay healthy. Before each doctor's appointment, write down any questions you or your partner may have and take the list with you to your visit.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families ©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
What should I expect at my first prenatal visit?
Your first visit usually takes the longest. You may want to bring a snack and something to read to help pass the time.
- Medical History. Your provider will ask you questions about your health, any medicines you take, your family's health, and your lifestyle in order to identify risks for your pregnancy.
- Blood Pressure. She will wrap a cuff around your arm and pump it tight with air to check how well your heart is working. Your blood pressure may go up during your pregnancy so your docotor will watch it closely to help your baby be born as healthy as possible.
- Weight and Height. The nurse will measure how tall you are and how much you weigh now, so she can monitor how much weight you gain.<
- Blood test. She will draw blood from your arm to check you blood type and look for anemia, sickle cell, hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV, since these need to be treated right away.
- Urine. The nurse will ask you to go into the ladies' room and 'pee' into a small cup. It will be tested for sugar (diabetes), protein, and infection which need to be found early to keep you and your baby healthy.
- Physical Examination. Your doctor/midwife will check your heart, lungs, and other organs to find out if you have any conditions that need to be treated.
- Breast Exam. She will show you how to check for lumps to make sure your breasts stay healthy.
- Pelvic Exam. You will lie on a padded table with your legs apart so your doctor/midwife can feel the size and shape of your uterus. This helps her learn how the baby is growing and confirm your due date. She may also do a PAP smear and check for any infections.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families © 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Getting the Care You Deserve from Your Doctor or Midwife
- Don't be embarrassed to give her accurate information even if you are not proud of it. She will keep it confidential.
- Bring your questions in writing and remember to ask them.
- Don't be shy. If you don't understand something, say so. Take notes if you need to.
- Questions you may ask to understand you medical condition and test results
- What does this mean?
- How does it affect the pregnancy?
- What are the danger signs I should watch for?
- What should I do if a danger sign appears?
- Questions you can ask to understand your treatment:
- What is this medicine for?
- When and how should I take it?
- How will this medicine affect my baby?
- How will I know whether it is working?
- Ask what to do I you feel something is wrong, especially if it is during the night or in the weekend.
- Trust your feelings. If you think something is wrong, get help.
- Talk with your doctor/midwife. You are speaking for both your baby and yourself!
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families ©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
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