HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

YOUR FIRST VISIT

Your first prenatal office visit may take longer than follow-up visits.

PHYSICAL EXAM During your first prenatal visit, your provider will check your blood pressure, measure your height and weight, and calculate your body mass index (BMI) to determine how much weight you should gain for a healthy pregnancy. You will also have a physical exam, including checking your breasts, pelvis, heart, lungs, and thyroid. If you haven’t had a recent cervical cancer screening, your provider may want to do one. LAB TESTING During your pregnancy, your provider will closely monitor the health of you and your baby. Routine blood, urine, and other types of tests provide up-to-date information about how you and your unborn baby are doing. At your first prenatal visit, you may have the following routine tests: • Urinalysis and urine culture • Complete blood count (CBC) • Blood type and Rh status • Rubella immunity • Hepatitis B and hepatitis C • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DISCUSSION TOPICS During your first appointment, your health care provider may talk to you about some of the physical changes you’ll experience during pregnancy, including nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), swollen breasts, and other changes. You’ll find more information about common changes during pregnancy in the “How Your Body Changes” chapter beginning on page 18. Your provider may also talk to you about caring for yourself and making practical, safe choices during your pregnancy. You’ll learn about eating healthy, prenatal vitamins, exercise, preventing infection, substance misuse, psychological issues, and more. You’ll find helpful information and answers to many questions in the “Making Good Choices” chapter beginning on page 24. You may also discuss some of the signs or symptoms that could indicate a problem with your pregnancy. Look for more information in the “Possible Complications” chapter beginning on page 42.

Your health care provider may do a number of important things at this visit: • Review your complete medical history • Perform a physical exam • Order your first prenatal lab tests • Discuss what to expect during pregnancy

• Calculate your baby’s due date • Do an ultrasound test if needed

MEDICAL HISTORY Your medical history helps your provider learn about your health and how to help you and your baby through your pregnancy. Some providers may ask you to come in early to fill out these forms. Others may ask you to complete them online or over the phone. Your medical history should include: • Any past pregnancies or surgeries • Medical, including psychiatric, conditions you have now or had in the past • Your family and/or genetic history • Medications or supplements you take • Use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or street drugs • Occupational and environmental risks • Assessment of social support and risks such as interpersonal violence • Immunizations and medications and any other allergies • Anything else that affects your health

6 Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy