8 Things You Must Ask at Your First Prenatal Visit
Your first prenatal doctor visit is an important time for us to evaluate your pregnancy so we can start a care plan tailored just for you.
We understand that you may have many questions when it comes to prenatal care, and often pregnancy can feel overwhelming. You may not even realize what questions you should ask.
We’re glad to answer any concerns you have, and for your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of what questions to ask your doctor at your first prenatal visit.
What Questions to Ask Your Doctor on First Prenatal Visit?
1. What Adjustments Should I Make to My Diet?
First, you should eliminate any alcohol immediately. You’ll also need to take caffeine in moderation—we recommend no more than one cup per day—and you should eliminate deli meat and certain fish.
We’ll also give you tips on what you can add to your diet to enhance both your health and the health of your baby.
2. Are My Current Medications Safe to Take?
We always want to have a complete medical record of all the medications that you’re taking, especially any herbal ones. This is important because herbal remedies can sometimes have interactions with your other medications, and others may not be safe for your baby.
Don’t worry; we can give you the answers you need.
3. Does My Medical History Put Me at Risk for Certain Conditions?
Some conditions, such as gestational diabetes, may have a genetic component. We’ll want to know all about your medical history to get an overall view of your health risks. This will help us serve you better.
4. How Much Sleep Do I Need?
It’s no secret that most Americans are sleep deprived. As your baby grows, it will be even more important for your body to get adequate sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, we can recommend some techniques that can help you.
5. What Will My Appointment Schedules Be Like?
We understand. The busy array of appointments can be overwhelming. We’ll make a clear schedule for you so you can plan and know what to expect. You can explore this topic in greater detail in a previous post where we follow your pregnancy month-to-month.
6. What Kind of Exercise is Safe During Pregnancy?
We encourage all of our patients to have a regular exercise routine in order to keep them healthy. However, you should avoid high-impact exercises or full-contact exercises. We can discuss what your current exercise regimen was prior to pregnancy and tailor it as needed for pregnancy. We can provide an exercise plan for you.
7. What Vitamins Should I Take?
If you’ve been trying to conceive, you should have been taking a prenatal vitamin. But if you haven’t been, don’t worry, we’ll recommend which ones you should take. Folic acid is extremely important, and we recommend that pregnant women take 800 micrograms every day. We will also review your current calcium intake and calculate if any additional calcium sources should be added to your daily routine.
We also suggest:
- Prenatal vitamins
- Iron
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
- Calcium
8. When Should I Have Ultrasounds?
There are generally two ultrasounds that we schedule during your pregnancy. One is during the first trimester, once during the second.
During the third trimester, our patients At Associates in Women’s Healthcare, have the option of having a 3D/4D ultrasound where you can see your baby’s face for the first time! Contact us to learn more.
What Happens at the First Prenatal Visit?
Our goal of the first prenatal visit is to get a snapshot of your health and run a few basic tests to help us tailor your care to fit the individual needs of you and your baby.
Some of the things you can expect at a first prenatal checkup include:
- A general checkup, where we take your height and weight, measure your blood pressure, and take other vital signs.
- A confirmation of pregnancy
- A urine test
- If you are due for any routine screening tests, they will likely be done at this time to make sure there are not any undiagnosed health problems.
We Want You And Baby to Get the Healthiest Start Possible
At Associates in Women’s Healthcare, we’re more than health care professionals—many of us are moms as well. We have helped thousands of women throughout the Triangle area have healthy babies. If you’re pregnant—or if you’re thinking of becoming pregnant, we encourage you to contact us and schedule an appointment today.
