Going to your first prenatal appointment after finding out you’re pregnant can be a whirlwind of excitement and nervousness as you welcome a new life into the world! These nerves are completely normal, and knowing what to expect from your first appointment can help you prepare both physically and mentally.
If you’re nervous about your first prenatal visit, you’ve came to the right place. We will go over what to expect at your first appointment, how to schedule your appointment, how to prepare beforehand, good questions to ask during your appointment, and what you can expect from the rest of your prenatal appointments.
What To Expect at Your First Pregnancy Appointment
It’s okay to be nervous for your first appointment. Take a deep breath—you’ve got this.
This first appointment will probably be the longest one, as there is a lot to go over. One of the big things to happen at this appointment is a TON of talking.
Your OBGYN will have plenty of questions for you, and you will probably have a bunch of questions yourself. This is the time to ask any and all questions you may have, so you can leave the appointment feeling empowered and excited to welcome your new baby in 9 months.
Common questions your physician may ask you include:
- When was your last menstrual cycle? How regular are your cycles?
- Do you have any past or current gynecological conditions such as PCOS?
- What medications do you currently take?
- Do you have any current medical conditions?
- What is your family’s gynecological medical history?
- Do you drink, smoke, or use recreational drugs?
- What pregnancy symptoms have you had so far?
- Are there any symptoms you are concerned or worried about?
In addition to a ton of talking, your OBGYN will also do a physical exam and a few tests. These include a pelvic exam to check that everything looks good, as well as blood and urine tests to ensure your hormone levels are where they should be at this stage of pregnancy. These tests are simply to confirm that everything is progressing well, both for you and your baby. None of these tests will be painful or uncomfortable, and they should take no longer than a few minutes.
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When Should I Schedule My First Prenatal Appointment?
Typically, the first prenatal visit is scheduled for around 8 weeks after your last menstrual period. We also recommend you schedule your first prenatal appointment as soon as you have a positive at-home pregnancy test. This may feel rushed, but your body is already going through significant growth and changes to accommodate the baby. You want to make sure the baby is happy and healthy in there and your body is adjusting well.
Having a baby can put a strain on your body, which is why we recommend meeting with an OBGYN as soon as possible so you can start prenatal care. Even if you haven’t decided on an OB you want for your whole pregnancy, getting the first appointment soon can make sure everything looks good. After that first appointment, you can shift to a different OB once you find the one you want to work with.
Who Will I See During My First Visit?
Who you see during your prenatal visits depends on your birth plan and your overall health. The two main options many parents choose between are either a birth team of Arizona OBGYNs or certified nurse-midwives.
If you are interested in working with nurse-midwives, your first prenatal visit will still be with an OBGYN. They will give a complete assessment of your health and the baby’s health to see if you are a good candidate for midwifery. If you and your baby are both perfectly healthy and there are no signs of potential complications, then they will get you set up with a team of midwives for future appointments.
However, if your health is too complex for midwifery, or you just want to work with an OBGYN, then all of your prenatal appointments (including your first) will be with a licensed and certified OBGYN physician. The health of yourself and your baby should be your top priority, so work with your medical team to create a plan that works for you.
How to Book Your First Appointment
Women’s Health Arizona has over 120 medical providers across over a dozen clinics in the Greater Phoenix and Prescott areas. Our clinics offer both prenatal care and midwifery services to match your birth plan and make your pregnancy as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Our mother-and-baby-focused care ensures you are taken care of throughout your pregnancy with a custom prenatal care plan tailored to your wants and needs. Both you and your baby are safe in our care.
If you are looking for a medical team in the greater Phoenix and Prescott areas for your first prenatal appointment, Women’s Health Arizona is a great place to start!
How To Prepare for Your First Prenatal Visit
One way to help ease your nerves about your appointment is to prepare for it as much as you can. You’re currently reading this article, so you’ve already done the first step! Knowing what to expect from your first appointment can help you better prepare to walk into the appointment feeling confident.
Other ways you can prepare for your appointment include:
- Figure out your medical history, as well as your partner’s medical history and your family history.
- Create a detailed list of all medications you take, from prescription meds to vitamin supplements.
- If you have not already done so, find a prenatal vitamin supplement.
- Have a list of questions you want to ask your medical team.
What Happens During Your First Prenatal Appointment
We’ve briefly gone over the basics, but now let’s get into the nitty-gritty about what happens during this first prenatal visit. The goal of this appointment is to get a baseline of your health and come up with a custom prenatal care plan to keep both you and the baby healthy throughout the next nine months. The main things that will happen during your appointment include:
- Collecting Your Medical History: Your OBGYN will ask you a lot of questions about your medical history as well as the medical history of other family members who had children. It may feel like an interrogation, but all of these questions will paint a picture for your doctor of what needs to happen to keep you and the baby happy and healthy.
- Doing a Physical Exam and Testing: As we mentioned earlier, your OB will also do a quick pelvic exam to make sure everything looks good. In addition, they will do a blood and urine test to check your hormone levels. Your hormone levels should hit certain milestones at different stages of pregnancy, and these tests check to see if your pregnancy is progressing as it should be.
- Asking Questions: Throughout the appointment, don’t be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a ridiculous question, and we want you to feel confident and safe throughout your appointment and pregnancy. Nag your OBGYN; they love to answer all of your questions!
- Going Over Prenatal Care: Lastly, your OBGYN will give you a ton of information about prenatal supplements, lifestyle changes, and future appointments that will make up your prenatal care. It can feel like an information overload at first, so ask questions or get written notes from your doctor. We want you to feel empowered when you leave your OB’s office.
Questions To Ask During Your First Pregnancy Visit
- What pregnancy symptoms should I expect? How do I know when it’s a normal symptom versus a sign of something more serious?
- Do you have a nurse line I can call if I have any questions?
- Are there any foods and drinks I should avoid?
- How much weight gain would you consider healthy for me?
- Are there any medications I should avoid?
- Is it safe to exercise? Can I have sex?
- What should I do if there is an emergency?
- What are your thoughts on natural birth? Cesarean sections? Labor induction?
What Are the Rest of My Prenatal Appointments Going To Look Like?
The exact schedule for the rest of your OBGYN appointments will be unique to you and your pregnancy. Your doctor knows your medical history and what is safe for both you and your baby, so trust their word above all else. However, pregnancies without complications can generally expect to have prenatal appointments:
- Every 4 weeks up until 28 weeks pregnant
- Every 2 weeks from 28 to 38 weeks pregnant
- Every week from 38 weeks pregnant until the baby is born
The main priority with all of these appointments is to make sure both you and your baby are safe and healthy. It’s normal for you to have a lot of questions and worries throughout your pregnancy, so don’t be afraid to talk to your OBGYN and ask as many questions as you can.
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Contact Women’s Health Arizona To Schedule Your First Prenatal Visit!
If you’re pregnant or planning to be, your Women’s Health Arizona provider is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out today to schedule your next prenatal visit.
