You’ve been anxiously waiting for those two tiny lines to appear on your pregnancy tests. After what has seemed like an eternity, they’ve finally shown up.
You’ve been anxiously waiting for those two tiny lines to appear on your pregnancy tests. After what has seemed like an eternity, they’ve finally shown up. Congratulations! You’re pregnant! Before you pick up the phone to call your OB-GYN, keep in mind that your first appointment doesn’t need to occur until you’re at least 6 weeks along. Once you’re between 6 and 8 weeks pregnant, you’ll have your first prenatal exam. While you might be feeling a little bit nervous, there’s nothing to worry about! In fact, there’s a lot of exciting things that happen during this first gyn checkup in Conroe.
Before Your Appointment
Even before the day of your first appointment, it’s important to prepare. Bring along your immunization record and make a list of health issues you’ve experienced in your past. Don’t just note any of your health conditions, but also record any illnesses that run in yours and your partner’s family. It’s also a good idea to make a list of any medications that you’re currently taking.
At Your First Appointment
When you first arrive at your prenatal appointment, you may be asked to fill out some paperwork. This is a good time to put your lists of health conditions and medications to use. At most offices, you’ll also be asked to pay for your appointment up front if you’re not planning on billing an insurance plan.
After all of the paperwork and financial details are squared away, you’ll meet with your OB-GYN. Before doing anything else, you’ll probably get a confirmation of your pregnancy. Even though you took a home pregnancy test, your physician will perform a urine test and a blood test to check your hCG levels and verify that you’re pregnant. Your hCG levels help to determine the validity of your pregnancy but also ensure that your baby is healthy.
A check-up will also be performed during your first prenatal appointment. After all, it’s important that you’re healthy enough to carry your baby full-term. During the check-up, your heart, lungs, breasts, and abdomen are checked. Your blood pressure will also be noted to serve as a baseline for future appointments. On top of a routine checkup, a pelvic exam is performed to better measure your uterus and to verify the shape of your pelvis. A pap smear may also be necessary, depending on when your last one was performed.
Numerous other tests are performed during this first appointment. Bloodwork is performed to ensure that you aren’t anemic and to verify that your body isn’t vitamin D deficient. You’ll also be tested for STDs to ensure that no diseases affect the health of your baby. Along with these other screenings, your blood sugar will also be tested.
While these aspects of your first prenatal appointment may not seem exciting, they prepare your body to carry your baby. Don’t worry, though; that’s not the only good thing to come from this appointment. You’ll also be given your official due date. Depending on your OB-GYN, this may be calculated with the help of an ultrasound, giving you the chance to take a peek at your little one.
Following Up
After your first appointment with your OB-GYN doctor in Conroe, you’ll be set up with subsequent visits. Be sure to keep these other appointments, as your physician will be closely monitoring the health of your baby. With the help of your doctor, these next few months will fly by and soon you’ll be meeting the newest member of your family!