Did you just find out you are pregnant? Congratulations!
Early prenatal care is very important to ensure the health of your baby. Contact us as soon as you find out you are pregnant to make your first prenatal appointment - we usually want to see you between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. Please expect that your first pregnancy appointment will last around 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
At your initial visit we will:
- Review your medical, family and surgical history
- Discuss your current medications
- Do your physical exam to include a pap and pelvic exam
- Draw your blood for lab tests
- Discuss good health and nutrition during your pregnancy
- Answer any initial questions that you may have
During your first visit, you will also receive a transvaginal ultrasound. This is to examine the growing fetus inside your uterus. Ultrasounds can provide valuable information about the fetus's health and well-being, including:
- Age of the fetus
- Rate of growth of the fetus
- Placement of the placenta
- Fetal position, movement, breathing, and heart rate
- Amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus
- Number of fetuses
- Some birth defects
If you are not doing so already, please make sure you begin taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Prenatal vitamins can be purchased at any local drug store. Make sure the prenatal vitamin contains at least 800 micrograms (0.8 milligrams) of folic acid. Repeated studies have shown that women who take a prenatal vitamin daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%.
If you are experiencing any bleeding prior to your first appointment, please call our office immediately and ask to speak to your doctor or midwife's nurse.
We are happy to have you as part of our Circle of Care and we look forward to being a part of this exciting time in your life!
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