First Time Moms: What To Expect At Appointments
Initial Prenatal Visit
Once you have a positive pregnancy test, call the office to schedule your first visit. Typically, this occurs between six and ten weeks of your pregnancy. Before your first visit, you will have an appointment with a nurse to review your history and medications. They will tell you about our practice, provide an overview of what to expect during your pregnancy, address common concerns, and answer any questions you may have.
After you schedule your office visit, here are additional steps to take:
Create a patient portal account
View important insurance and paperwork recommendations so you’re well prepared
Explore our website for information and tips, including:
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST VISIT WITH THE OBSTETRICIAN:
Receive an estimated date of delivery (EDD or due date)
Discuss genetic testing options
Review BMI, weight gain, and exercise recommendations
Review current medications and make alterations, if needed
Have an ultrasound
Have prenatal bloodwork drawn
Receive a physical exam
Ultrasounds
We recommend 2-3 ultrasounds during your pregnancy. During your first doctor visit, your doctor will discuss the right timing of ultrasounds for you. Most insurance plans will include these in the coverage for your prenatal care, but some insurance plans may have separate benefit coverage for ultrasounds. Details of the charges for ultrasounds will be discussed with you when our insurance representative meets with you to discuss charges for your prenatal care.
Your first ultrasound is usually scheduled at the same time of your initial visit with your doctor.
Your second ultrasound is typically scheduled between 11-13 weeks, and the third ultrasound is scheduled between 18-22 weeks. This is usually the last ultrasound of the pregnancy. Additional ultrasounds are scheduled when medically necessary. These additional ultrasounds will be billed based on the specifics of your insurance plan and may result in charges not covered by your insurance.
We have a dedicated page for additional information on ultrasounds and lab tests.
Gestational Diabetes Test
You should plan to have your testing for gestational diabetes and anemia completed at 28 weeks. If you have not received an order by 28 weeks of pregnancy, please talk with your provider. If your initial test for gestational diabetes is elevated, we will arrange an additional three-hour diabetes test. If anemia is detected on your blood work, we recommend starting an additional iron supplement. These can be purchased over the counter at any drugstore. We recommend 45 mg of slow-release iron to be taken every other day. You should not take the iron with your prenatal vitamin (take one in the morning and one in the evening).
We have a dedicated page for additional information on gestational diabetes.
Genetic Testing
Prenatal genetic testing will be discussed and offered at your first prenatal visit. Genetic testing gives parents information about whether or not their fetus may have certain genetic abnormalities. Some genes may be passed on from parents to children; other genetic abnormalities result from chromosomal abnormalities that occur at conception. If you would like genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant, please contact our office.
GENETIC TESTING OPTIONS:
1. First-trimester screening with Nuchal Translucency. This test combines an ultrasound at approximately 12 weeks gestation with blood work. It analyzes a woman's risk for Down syndrome (trisomy 21), as well as trisomy 13 and 18.
2. Cell-free DNA testing. This test can be done after 9 weeks and is used to analyze fetal chromosomal material in the mother’s bloodstream. It involves a blood test from the mother. There are several of these tests available on the market, but we routinely use the MaterniT® 21 PLUS test. It screens for certain chromosomal abnormalities that could affect your baby’s health and development—such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs, or abnormal numbers of X or Y chromosomes)—and can also detect your baby’s gender. The cost of these tests will be covered by insurance companies at different rates, so we recommend checking with your insurance company before ordering.
3. Chorionic Villus Sampling or Amniocentesis. These are invasive tests that entail sampling the placenta or amniotic fluid with a needle. We are doing these tests less frequently now, as we have access to better non-invasive tests listed above that pose no risk to the fetus.
Learn more about genetic testing here.
