OB-GYN - The First Pre-Natal Appointment

Your first reaction finding out that you are pregnant is probably to instantly make an appointment with the OB-GYN, and many women are surprised to find out that the first appointment will not be until possibly week eight of the pregnancy. The first appointment is mainly for your doctor to gain information about you and your health history, and typical insurance providers will not cover prenatal appointments in the early weeks of pregnancy. Keep in mind though that your gestational weeks are measured from the first day of your last menstrual cycle, and, therefore, if you are being seen at eight weeks gestation, your baby was only conceived five to six weeks ago, and there isn't a lot of prevention or intervention that can be done for a baby at that stage of development.

If you are considered "at-risk" it is important that you tell your OB-GYN during that first phone call. In this situation, you should be seen as soon as possible, and you should consider a doctor who specializes in such cases. Some high risks include previous early miscarriage, history of ectopic pregnancy, previous difficulties in carrying a baby to term, and a history of high order multiples.

Expect to fill out what will seem like excessive paper work involving your health history, your family history, and your insurance information. Nothing is too minimal to mention. You will most likely have blood drawn at your initial appointment for the purpose of checking for blood type, glucose, infection, and disease. All of these things can affect the health of your baby, so be forthcoming with information. Women with these difficulties are perfectly capable of giving birth to health babies.

A urine sample confirming your pregnancy will be given at this appointment, and expect to give a urine sample at all subsequent appointments to check for protein and glucose. Your due date will be calculated at this initial appointment, and, unless you have recently undergone one, you will have a pap smear and pelvic exam. For a lot of patients, pre-natal appointments seem too focused on the mother rather than the baby, but keep in mind that at this point in life, you are your baby's home, and, just as you will certainly child proof your home in anticipation of bringing the baby into it, your body needs to be the safest home it can be for your baby right now.

At this point, your OB-GYN should discuss protocol with you telling you how to reach him, reasons to call, how often to expect appointments, and when to expect those exciting milestones like hearing the heartbeat and getting an ultra sound. You will see your physician once a month until approximately your twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, twice a month until week thirty-six, and every week thereafter until delivery. Before you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will see you again discussing what to expect during healing and giving you any needed prescriptions. You will see your doctor one last time for a six week post-delivery check up. OB-GYNs are available for regular gynecological care as well, and you should continue to see this or another gynecologist annually for optimal heath care.