Two visits in particular are especially worthwhile: the first appointment, and the prenatal ultrasound exam. "As a physician, I want the dad there for the first appointment to talk about what will happen, and to determine parents' preferences," Woods says.
In your first trimester, you will have a prenatal visit every month. The visits may be quick, but they are still important. It is OK to bring your partner or labor coach with you.
It's fine for your partner or a friend to come with you. Remember you're likely to be talking about some confidential and private things. It's up to you whether you'd feel more comfortable discussing these things in confidence with just your midwife, or if you'd prefer to have someone else that you trust there as well.
What's usually done at the first prenatal visit? Your first visit may include a full physical exam, including breast and pelvic exams, as well as some routine blood and urine tests. You will spend time talking to us about what to expect during your your first trimester and the rest of your pregnancy.
Your partner will have regular appointments throughout the pregnancy. These are usually with a midwife but they may sometimes see a doctor who specialises in care during pregnancy, labour and after birth (obstetrician).
Dads can attend the booking appointment, as can friends or relatives if the mum-to-be feels she needs support. She is likely to be talking about some confidential and private things though, including her mental health, past and present experiences and her relationship with you.
When will I be able to listen to my baby's heartbeat? You'll probably hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time during your dating scan, which is your first routine antenatal scan. This usually happens when you're between 10 weeks and 14 weeks of pregnancy .
After a positive pregnancy test, your first step will be to see an OB/GYN or midwife (what is a midwife?). Most providers will want to see you at around 8 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period, but this can vary from practice to practice.
Your provider will ask you to undress privately and put on a hospital gown to prepare for an exam of your breasts and pelvis. For that reason, it might help to wear clothes you can slip out of easily. (It's a smart idea for your future prenatal appointments, too.
The American Pregnancy Association recommends you make an appointment with your doctor for your first prenatal visit within eight weeks of your last menstrual period (LMP). Even if you've been pregnant before, every pregnancy and every baby is different.
During your pregnancy you will usually have between seven and ten antenatal appointments depending on whether it is your first pregnancy. Women with complicated pregnancies or who are expecting multiple babies may need additional appointments.
You should be offered at least 2 scans: an early pregnancy scan (dating or booking scan) between 11 and 14 weeks. a mid-pregnancy scan (also known as a fetal anomaly scan) between 18 and 21 weeks.
The visit will include measuring your blood pressure, height and weight, as well as a breast and pelvic exam, with a pap test if you haven't had once recently. They'll also likely take blood to test for your blood type, anemia and other medical and genetic conditions.
Examples of raw or undercooked foods to avoid include sushi, sashimi, ceviche and raw oysters, scallops or clams. Avoid refrigerated, uncooked seafood. Examples include seafood labeled nova style, lox, kippered, smoked or jerky. It's OK to eat smoked seafood if it's an ingredient in a casserole or other cooked dish.
Pregnant women are often advised to wait until they pass the 12-week mark, when the risk of miscarriage drops sharply, to announce their pregnancies to the world.
1. First Prenatal Visit. Your first prenatal visit usually takes place when you are about 10-12 weeks pregnant (a pregnancy confirmation visit and possibly an early ultrasound typically occurs between 5-8 weeks). This appointment is often the longest, and will include a general physical and routine prenatal labs.
The answer is no.
A pap smear is a screening test used to detect and prevent cervical cancer, the most common gynecologic cancer. On the other hand, the only way to detect pregnancy is by measuring your human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG) hormone. So your gynecologist cannot use a pap smear to detect pregnancy.
You probably don't look pregnant yet. If it's your first pregnancy you might not start showing until at least week 12. However, if this isn't your first baby, you may start showing sooner, as the muscles in your uterus (womb) and belly may have been stretched from your last pregnancy.
Pregnancy Tests
It's too early to take a home pregnancy test in week 3. But, by the middle or later part of next week, you might be able to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine with a sensitive early test.
Baby flutters occur when a pregnant woman feels the movement of the fetus. For the first 18 to 20 weeks, a woman is not likely to feel any fetal movement. During the early stages of pregnancy, the fetus is not big or strong enough to make noticeable movements.
Miscarriage, development problems or health conditions at 20 weeks. Most 20-week scans show that babies are developing well. It might help you to know that the 20-week scan is unlikely to show that there has been a miscarriage. After about 13 weeks, miscarriages are uncommon.
You should contact your GP surgery or local midwife service as soon as you find out you're pregnant (before 8 weeks into the pregnancy). It's important to see a midwife as early as possible to get the antenatal (pregnancy) care and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.