Video:What to Expect at a First Prenatal Visit

Transcript:What to Expect at a First Prenatal Visit

Hi. My name is Dr. Charletta Ayers. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at UMDNJ, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Here, for About.com.

Today, I will explain to you what to expect on your first pre-natal visit.

Answers About a First Prenatal Visit

When do you start prenatal care? Well, the earlier the better. Normally, we say, the providers want you to come in between five to seven weeks to come in for your first pre-natal visit.

How to Prepare for a First Prenatal Visit

For your first pre-natal visit it's really important that you come prepared because this will probably be your longest visit of your whole pre-natal care. It usually takes from 30 to 45 minutes for that first visit because your provider will get a complete history from you. They'll talk to you regarding any kind of medical problems you've had in the past or you're having presently. They'll also be asking you if you have any surgeries or if you have any hospitalizations. They'll talk about if you've had any previous pregnancies before. How did those pregnancies do. Did you have any miscarriages? Did you have any full term deliveries?

The next thing they'll ask you, which a lot of people get really anxious about is family history. They ask you about if any other family members have had any chronic illnesses. They'll also ask if there's any children who had any abnormalities or genetic problems of mental retardation. They will also ask you about the father of the baby's history.

Well, at the first pre-natal visit you'll be getting a full range of tests that will occur. The first thing will do is make sure that you're not anemic, so a CBC will be ordered. They'll check for any kind of risk of infections. So, there's a whole group of tests that we'll do to make sure that you don't have any type of infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamidia, syphilis/ We'll also look and see if your vaccinations are up to date.

So Rubella will be checked. Even though we can't give the vaccine during pregnancy – but it's very important for us to know that as well. Sometimes we also get your other tests that might be associated with a genetic history that you get. You might need cystic fibrosis screening, Tasacs or cycil cell to be ordered. Those are tests based on your genetic history or your personal history.

Then, of course, we'll get a blood type from you.

It's very important during that first visit with you for you to have a bond with your provider, because that's someone you'll see for over the next nine months.

Some of the questions are regarding, what about my nutrition? Also, questions on how frequently should I be seeing my provider. In the first trimester you'll be seeing them every four weeks. And, then later on every two weeks and then the last month of pregnancy every week.

Things to Tell Your Doctor During the First Prenatal Visit

It's very important for your provider to know what exercises and activities you find that you're doing on a regular basis. So that maybe we can tell you that they're ok to do. Or, maybe modify them as needed. Other than your health history your provider will also ask about your social history. They will ask you are you working? What do you do for a living? Because all of these things impact. Such as are you standing for long periods of time? Do we need to modify your activity? Are you around other things that are chemical related that might be related to your pregnancy. They will also ask, do you smoke? Or use any other forms of medication. Just make to make sure that you have a healthy pregnancy.

Thanks for watching. To learn more visit us on the web at About.com.