What to Expect at Your First OB Appointment
Whether you're a first-time mom or expanding your family, your initial obstetric appointment is a significant step in your prenatal journey. At Jefferson OB/GYN, we aim to make this experience informative and reassuring. We strongly believe in individualized, patient-centered care, and are proud to specialize in low-intervention birth.
When to Schedule Your First 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, a nurse will call to review your history and medications. She 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.
Explore our website for guidance on prenatal vitamins, safe medications, dietary recommendations, and skincare adjustments during pregnancy.
What Happens During the First OB Visit
Your initial appointment is comprehensive, focusing on establishing a healthy foundation for your pregnancy. Expect the following:
Estimation of Due Date (EDD): Based on your last menstrual period
Discussion of Genetic Testing Options: Including first-trimester screening and cell-free DNA testing
Review of BMI and Weight Gain Recommendations: Tailored advice on healthy weight gain and exercise
Medication Review: Assessing current medications and making necessary adjustments
Prenatal Bloodwork: Comprehensive lab tests to assess your health and screen for potential concerns
Physical Examination: A general health check-up
During your first doctor visit, your doctor will discuss the right timing of ultrasounds for you. We recommend 2-3 ultrasounds during your pregnancy.
Next Steps
We are a private practice comprised of nine OBGYN physicians and three nurse practitioners. We recommend that you rotate around during your prenatal visits; however, you can choose to limit the number of providers you see based on schedule availability. Our team collaborates during your prenatal care to ensure the highest levels of safety and care during your pregnancy and delivery.
The physicians rotate call in our practice, and for labor and delivery, the doctor on call will care for you. This is a benefit of having many doctors in our practice. Patient care comes first and is not dictated by doctors’ schedules or convenience.
We look forward to supporting you throughout your pregnancy journey. We have some helpful resources based on each of your trimesters.
Getting Started | First Trimester | Second Trimester | Third Trimester
