SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: What To Expect At Your First Prenatal Visit

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

July 29, 2021

Congratulations! Your at-home pregnancy test was positive. As your thoughts being to go everywhere about becoming a mom, one of the first things you should do is schedule your first prenatal appointment. Here’s how to prepare and what to expect at your first prenatal appointment.

Prepare for your first prenatal appointment

The first thing you’ll want to do is find a provider to care for you during your pregnancy. Think about what you’d like your birthing experience to be like to guide you in your decision making process. Want all the bells and whistles of a hospital birth? Dream of having a doula or nurse-midwife by your side? At SSM Health, we offer a wide range of providers to meet your specific needs.

Bring a list of your health history. This includes your medical history, any supplements and medications you’re taking - including the dosages and family history.

The visit

During your first visit, we’ll review your medical history and perform a physical exam to understand your overall health and any risk factors that might affect your pregnancy.

We’ll also determine your baby’s due date and schedule follow-up appointments.

We typically perform a pelvic exam as well to determine the size of your uterus and pelvis. If you’re past week 10 to 12 of your pregnancy, we’ll also listen for your baby’s heartbeat using a doppler, an ultrasound-powered instrument.

Lab tests and screenings

Your doctor will order several lab tests during the early stages of your pregnancy. These tests screen for certain risks, including high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, sexually transmitted diseases, Hepatitis B, bladder infection, HIV, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell. We also screen for chromosomal abnormalities, including prenatal cell-free DNA screening.

The result of these tests will determine how often you need to see your doctor.

COVID -19 Safety

You can safely seek medical care and protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19 at SSM Health. SSM Health has extensive safety precautions and infection control measures in place at all our facilities to limit the risk of exposure and keep everyone safe. Learn about the steps we’re taking to protect you from COVID-19.

For more information about pregnancy, certain medical conditions, and what to expect when you’re expecting, visit our Maternity page.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.