Antenatal Care: First Trimester Checkup
Pregnancy and Antenatal Care Hand in hand. During the first trimester, prenatal care includes blood tests, physical exams, lifestyle conversations, and more.
Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Whether you choose your family doctor, obstetrician, midwife or group antenatal care, you can expect the following during your first few antenatal appointments.
First visit
When you find out you are pregnant , please have your first prenatal visit. Allow time for your first visit to review your medical history and discuss risk factors for any pregnancy problems you may have.
Medical history
Your healthcare The provider may ask about:
Exposure to anything that may be poisonous Medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or supplements
Share information on sensitive issues such as Domestic abuse or past drug use. This will help your healthcare provider give you and your baby the best possible care.
expiration date
Your due date cannot predict when you will have a baby. This is just the date you are 40 weeks pregnant. Very few people give birth on their due date. Still, it’s important to determine your due date (or estimated delivery date). It allows your healthcare provider to monitor your baby’s growth and the progress of your pregnancy. Your due date also helps schedule tests and procedures so they are completed at the right time.
To estimate your due date, your healthcare provider will use the date your last period started, add 7 days, then count down 3 months. The due date will be approximately 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. Your healthcare provider can use a fetal ultrasound to help confirm the date. Typically, the ultrasound is used to set the due date if the due date calculated from your last period differs by more than 7 days from the due date calculated using the earlier ultrasound.
Physical Exam
To find out how much you need to add Weight for a healthy pregnancy, your healthcare provider will measure your weight and height and calculate your BMI.
Your healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, including a breast and pelvic exam. You may need a Pap test, depending on your last Time after Pap test. Depending on your condition, you may need tests of your heart, lungs, and thyroid.
Laboratory inspection
in your At the first prenatal visit, the following blood tests may be performed:
- Check your blood type. This includes your Rh status. Rh factor is an inherited trait that refers to a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If you are Rh negative and your baby’s father is Rh positive, your pregnancy may require special care.
to measure your hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein found in red blood cells that allows cells to carry oxygen from the lungs delivered to other parts of the body. Hemoglobin also transports carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to the lungs for exhalation. Low hemoglobin or low levels of red blood cells are signs of anemia. Anemia can make you very tired and may affect your pregnancy. Check immunity to certain infections. This usually includes rubella and chickenpox (chicken pox) – unless your medical history has evidence of vaccination or natural immunity . Test for exposure to other infections. Your healthcare provider will recommend blood tests to test for hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV and other infections, the virus that causes AIDS . A urine sample can also be tested for signs of bladder or urinary tract infection.
Fetal problems screening
Prenatal screening can provide valuable information about your baby’s health. Your healthcare provider usually offers a variety of prenatal genetic screening tests. They may include ultrasound or blood tests to check for certain fetal genetic problems, such as Down syndrome.
Lifestyle Questions
Your A healthcare provider may discuss the importance of nutrition and prenatal vitamins. Ask about exercise, sex, dental care, vaccinations and travel during pregnancy, and other lifestyle questions. You can also talk about your work environment and drug use during pregnancy. If you smoke, ask your healthcare provider for advice to help you quit.
Pregnancy discomfort
You may Changes in the body are noticed in the early stages of pregnancy. Your breasts may become tender and swollen. Nausea with or without vomiting (morning sickness) is also common. If your morning sickness is severe, talk to your healthcare provider.
Other Phase 1 visits
Your next visit Prenatal visits – usually scheduled every four weeks in the first trimester – can be shorter than the first. Towards the end of the first trimester (around 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy), you may be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat using a small device called a Doppler, which bounces sound waves from your baby’s heart. Your healthcare provider may also offer a first-trimester ultrasound.
Your prenatal appointment is an ideal time to discuss your concerns. During your first visit, learn how to contact your healthcare team between appointments in case problems arise. Knowing that there is help can give you peace of mind.
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August. 06, 2022
Lockwood CJ et al. Antenatal care: an initial assessment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018. Prenatal care and testing. Women’s Health Office. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/prenatal-care-and-tests. Accessed July 9, 2018. Cunningham FG et al., eds. Prenatal care. In: Williams Obstetrics. 25th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://www.accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed July 9, 2018. Lockwood CJ et al. Antenatal care: second and third trimesters. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018.
- WHO experience with antenatal care recommendations for positive pregnancies. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal_perinatal_health/anc-positive-pregnancy-experience/en/. Accessed July 9, 2018.
Bastian LA et al. Clinical manifestations and early diagnosis of pregnancy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018.
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