A Helpful Guide to Prepare You for the First Prenatal Visit

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Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

Congratulations on this exciting news! Now that you have found out you’re pregnant and took some time to deal with this great news. It’s time to make your first prenatal appointment. Once that’s done, you are probably left wondering what will go on during your first prenatal check-up? Well, this will be one of your longest ones because so much is involved in it. 

Things To Prepare for in Advance

• Have a list of all current medications and vitamins you are taking, so the doctor is aware of this and can let you know what is safe for your baby, and whatever is not, he or she might suggest an alternative.

• Jot down all your medical history, your family’s, and your partners
  Your doctor will need to know this information. It will be of help to you, your baby, and your doctor. Then he or she can take any necessary precautions for any potential health problems or hereditary diseases.

• Take some time to write a list of questions you or your partner may have. You can either have it in a notebook or on your phone. Usually, there is an app on the phone for notes. If not, you can download it on your phone.

The Day of the Appointment

• Bring your information with you that you had prepared in advance, either in a notebook or on the phone.

• Urine test- to confirm your pregnancy and also check for any infections or problems with your urine. 

• Complete Physical Exam and Medical History- especially getting baseline numbers of your blood pressure to follow you through all your appointments. Also, check your height and weight to make sure you gain the appropriate amount of weight that may not cause health concerns to both you and your baby. He or she will be asking you questions during this time about you, your family, and the partner’s medical history.

• Pelvic Exam - to check for any STD’s or Cervical Cancer. If you recently had one, you may not get looked at again, but if you had an abnormal result, he or she would conduct another one.

• Blood Work- to see your blood type and check for your HCG levels, infections, or any problems in your blood. Also, check RH status to know if you are either RH positive or negative. If you are negative, you will have to take certain precautions during your pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss that with you.

• Ultrasound- this test will give you an accurate due date and how long you are in your pregnancy.

• Questions- Don’t forget to ask your doctor any questions you have prepared in advance, so you don’t feel unsure about anything in particular. Such as what is safe to take for headaches, fevers, eat, exercise, just to name a few.

• Schedule - Remember to schedule your next appointment and always be sure to keep up with them all. It’s crucial for both you and your developing baby.

If you have any tips, you would like to share. Please do so in the comments. Until next time.

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Just Finding Out You're Pregnant, Now What?

Disclosure: This post has an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

Did you just recently found out you are pregnant? Are you going through some mixed emotions? Trust me; it’s perfectly normal. Many women will experience mixed feelings, both happy and sad. I can recall how scared, shocked, and then delighted when I found out all three times. Take the time you need to process the news, and once you have done that, there are a few things you will need to take care of to have a successful pregnancy.

Refrain from Stress

Stress can do a lot of harm to you and your baby. Such as an increase in the risk of miscarriage or premature births and also cause health complications to yourself. So it’s vital to prevent any of it, but sometimes it’s out of your control so try to limit it. If you see yourself getting stressed, go for walks around your area, or take part in prenatal yoga. (Fit2B Studio)  It improves sleep and also reduce stress and anxiety. Be sure to ask your Obestrician first before signing up for a program. Here are some extra tips to help you reduce your stress levels from another mom blogger, Rashmi.

Your Diet

Make sure to eat healthy meals for you and your baby. It’s crucial for your baby’s development and growth. There are foods you should stay away from raw seafood, rare meat, hot dogs, deli meats, raw eggs, and also any fish products that contain high mercury, such as Swordfish, King Mackerel, Tilefish, Shark, and Tuna. It can cause damage to your baby’s brain development and the nervous system. You can ask your obstetrician for a list of foods that are safe to eat and not eat. So you can hang it on your refrigerator and be mindful of what you are eating.

Search for an Obstetrician 

You can either ask your friends who have had babies or look online for one. You should feel comfortable with the doctor you select since you will be seeing him or her throughout your pregnancy up until the day you give birth.

Drink Plenty of Water

Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You should drink about 8 to 12 glasses daily. It’s essential for both you and the baby. Especially during the third trimester because it can cause contractions to occur before its time. 

Maternity Wear

You may start to feel uncomfortable in your regular clothing as your belly starts to grow but don’t worry. There are plenty of maternity clothing options that can be purchased either online or at a brick and mortar store.

Sleep

Try to get a good 7 to 8-hour sleep nightly. It’s okay to find yourself needing more rest in your first trimester because your body is doing much more than its use.

Enjoy this Moment

Don’t forget to enjoy every moment of your pregnancy because it’s such a wonderful experience of seeing your belly growing as your baby develops inside you. You can even talk to your baby,  play light music by placing headphones around your stomach, and even read stories. It’s a great way to connect with your baby during this time.

If you have any tips to share, feel free to share them in the comments.😊

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