Doctor Visits during First Trimester of Pregnancy

Detailed examination by a doctor is very important during the first trimester of pregnancy. Here is what you can expect during doctor visits during first trimester of pregnancy.As soon as you have confirmed that you are pregnant, the first thing you should do is to schedule your first prenatal appointment. Pregnancy and prenatal care go in parallel. Doctor visits during the first trimester of pregnancy are very essential, and you should keep aside ample time for it. You and your doctor have a lot to discuss – so never be in hurry. There are many tests and discussions involved here, and you can also include your partner in the appointment. In this articleWhen Should You Have Your First Prenatal Visit?What Is the Purpose of Your Doctor Visits During First Trimester?What Happens in Your Doctor Visits During First Trimester?What Are the Questions Your Doctor May Ask During the Visits?What Other Things Your Doctor May Discuss?When Should You Have Your First Prenatal Visit?Just as you find that you are pregnant, it is time to decide your doctor, midwife, obstetrician, or family physician and call to schedule an appointment with him or her. Mostly doctors would schedule a visit around your 8th week of pregnancy as that is the time when your baby goes through some basic significant changes unless you have some serious medical conditions.What Is the Purpose of Your Doctor Visits During First Trimester?The doctor visits during your first trimester is firstly to confirm yourpregnancy, analyze your general health, and determine any risk factors if at all involved that may affect your pregnancy. These visits can be longer than any future visits during the other two trimesters. The main purposes of the prenatal visit are the following:Find out yours and your family’s medical history that may affect the child.Determine if you have any pregnancy risk factors based on your age, health, and family history.Determine your due date..What Happens in Your Doctor Visits During First Trimester?The main operations done at your doctor visits during your first trimester of pregnancy are as follows:Your practitioner would draw your blood for identifying your blood group, Rh status, measuring your hemoglobin, determining the complete blood count, checking anemia, and test for syphilis, hepatitis B, immunity to rubella (German measles), immunity to chicken pox, test for HIV, etc.A full pelvic examination will be performed.A Pap smear test will also be performed to check for abnormal cells, which could indicate cervical cancer.Cultures would be done to look for infections or any other serious problems.Urine sample would be taken to test for urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and other conditions.A glucose challenge test to check your risk for gestational diabetes and even skin test would be done.What Are the Questions Your Doctor May Ask During the Visits?During the doctor visits in your first trimester, your doctor or midwife will ask you various questions about:Your overall health.Whether your menstrual cycles are regular and how long they tend to last.Past pregnancies and use of birth control.Use of any other medicines, herbs, or vitamins.Your personal medical history and your family’s medical history.Any genetic disorder you or your partner is facing.Any gynecological problems you have faced earlier.If you have any psychiatric problem.What Other Things Your Doctor May Discuss?Your doctor will talk about good eating habits, foods to avoid, weight gain, and prenatal vitamins.Your doctor will check if you are emotionally stable or abused as it is very important.Your doctor will also advise some dos and donts of exercise, travel, and sex during pregnancy.Your doctor will talk to you about the danger of smoking, alcohol, and other non-prescribed drug use.Finally, your doctor will schedule the next visit.If you find any problems or any doubts regarding your pregnancy, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor. If you have something to share in private, then you can ask your partner to excuse and discuss with your doctor personally, but never leave any doubts within yourself. This is a precious time of your life, and you have all rights to know what is going on inside you. So spend enough time during your doctor visits and feel free to talk out.Why is it important to visit a doctor during first trimester of pregnancy? What kind of examination is carried out during first trimester of pregnancy? How many tests and scans are done during first trimester of pregnancy? Discuss here.