Prenatal Care During The First Trimester: Visits and Tests
During these special months of pregnancy, especially the early ones, visiting your health care provider is very important. Your provider will schedule you for regular check-ups throughout the next nine months to keep your baby healthy and avoid problems with delivery. Become a partner with your health care provider to manage your care. Keep all of your appointments - every one is important! Pregnancy typically lasts 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last menstrual period. The first trimester lasts 12 weeks, the second from 13 to the end of 27 weeks, and the third from 28 to 40 weeks. Your health care provider will refer to your pregnancy by the age of the fetus in weeks.
During the first prenatal visit, your health care provider will discuss important parts of your health history that may have some impact on your pregnancy. These include diseases, operations, and other pregnancies. There also will be questions about your family's health history. You will have a complete physical exam, lab tests, and a Pap test. From now on, your blood pressure, urine, and weight will be checked at every visit. For special genetic or medical reasons, you may need other lab tests, like blood or urine tests, cultures for infections, or ultrasound exams. Your health care provider will discuss them with you during your visits. Your health care provider also will figure out your expected delivery date and answer questions about any concerns you might have.
Topics
Changes in Your Body
Caring For Yourself
Prenatal Care
|
