PRENATAL APPOINTMENTS - what to expect?
PART 2
In part 1 I shared everything to expect at your 1st prenatal appointment. Now let’s get into what to expect after.
⭐️During EVERY prenatal visit:
✔️Weight check
✔️Blood pressure check
✔️Urinalysis (urine sample)
✔️Listen to baby’s heartbeat
✔️Feel for baby’s position (further along)
During your 1st & 2nd trimester, most of your prenatal visits will be routine & short (if you don’t have any complications).
⭐️2ND VISIT: weeks 12–16.
Review blood work results, discuss prenatal exercises & schedule your next ultrasound.
⭐️3RD VISIT: weeks 16–20.
AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) testing to check for birth defects & genetic disorders. Anatomy ultrasound aka finding out your BABY’S GENDER!)🩷🩵
⭐️4TH VISIT: weeks 20–24.
HALF WAY THERE! Routine visit, schedule blood sugar testing & 28-week CBC blood work.
⭐️5TH VISIT: weeks 24–28.
Blood sugar test (the YUCKY drink🤢) to screen for gestational diabetes. 28-week CBC (complete blood count) test to check iron levels🩸
⭐️6TH VISIT: weeks 28-32.
Now entering the 3RD TRIMESTER! You’ll be scheduled for visits more frequently to review red flags & how to identify preterm labor signs. Make sure everything is up to date & baby is measuring appropriately🤰🏻
⭐️7TH VISIT: weeks 32–36.
GBS (group B streptococcus) testing‼️ WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU🫣 your doctor will swab your vagina & rectum to collect samples for testing.
⭐️FINAL VISITS BEFORE DELIVERY: Weeks 36–40. 3rd & final ultrasound. NST (non-stress test) or BPP (biophysical profile) test to make sure baby has a good health status. Also checking for sudden changes in blood pressure or weight (signs of PREECLAMPSIA)🤰🏻
I hope this answers some of the many questions you may have as a first time expecting mom.🫶🏼
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Prenatal appointments are essential for monitoring a baby's development and a mother's health throughout pregnancy. Understanding these visits can be invaluable for first-time moms. During **every visit**, expect your weight and blood pressure to be checked, along with a urinalysis and listening to the baby's heartbeat. As you progress from the first to the third trimester, the frequency of appointments increases and specific tests, such as the **Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)** and **gestational diabetes screening**, are performed. The anatomy ultrasound around weeks 16-20 helps reveal your baby’s gender, which is a memorable moment for many parents. Additionally, routine visits during weeks 20-40 ensure vital health checks and preparations for delivery. It's important to be proactive, ask questions, and understand what each test involves, especially for indicators like **preeclampsia**. Being informed can alleviate anxiety and ensure a smoother pregnancy experience. As you navigate through each trimester, remember that you are not alone. Engaging with online communities or support groups through platforms like Lemon8 can provide encouragement and practical advice from fellow moms who understand the journey. Whether you're curious about maternal health tests, baby movements, or postpartum preparation, make use of available resources, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider with any concerns.
Do you have to get a Pap smear?? I'm newly pregnant (5 weeks according to the dr from when my last first day of my period was) and I'm getting my first ultrasound on the 24th