For your very first pregnancy appointment, we will schedule a 30 minute phone history to discuss your medical history, future appointments, and care during pregnancy.

Medical History   During this section of the phone history, a nurse will ask you about medications, past illnesses and/or surgeries, allergies and other health problems, as well as menstrual history, the date of your last period, and past pregnancies.

Social History   The nurse will then ask you several questions about your social life, including your age and occupation, experience with drugs and alcohol, diet and exercise, and family life.

Family History   This part of the conversation will be about the health history of your family members, including questions about genetic disorders and drug/alcohol use.

 

Office Visits   

Your first visit will often occur around 8 weeks and will include an ultrasound to confirm the health of the pregnancy, check for twins, rule out a miscarriage, etc. Your second visit will often consist of a physical examination, similar to an annual exam.

Your second ultrasound is a thorough anatomical survey of your baby and occurs between 19-21 weeks. This is most often the time when you can find out the sex of your baby.

You will have an office visit every four weeks up until 28 weeks. Each visit will include a weight and blood pressure check, as well as a urine check for protein and sugar. We will also measure the size of your uterus (fundal check) and will listen to the fetal heart beat and take time to discuss any ongoing questions or concerns and plan for the rest of the pregnancy.

From 28-36 weeks, you should be seen every 2-3 weeks, and once you have reached 36 weeks you should be seen once a week. At 36 weeks you will have a vaginal swab test for the detection of Group B Streptococcus, and may have your cervix checked during the last few visits as your due date approaches.

It is not unusual for more frequent visits depending on concerns, high-risk pregnancies, etc.