Prenatal Checkups and Scans in the First Trimester: A Complete Guide

The care you get before you get pregnant is very important for your health.. It is when you go to your physician, healthcare practitioner, or midwife for regular checkups in the course of your pregnancy. It helps to make sure both you and the baby are healthy. While regular checkups throughout your pregnancy are important, the initial stages are particularly crucial due to rapid changes in your body and the baby’s development. This period is also critical for a baby's rapid development.

Riddhi Roy
Updated:30 Sept 2024, 8:44 pm
Pregatips
Prenatal care and checkups are extremely important parts of staying healthy during a pregnancy. Your doctor, nurse, or physician will do routine tests and monitor your baby’s development. This helps them find and prevent any potential issues, and if any issues are found, they can be dealt with early on. These checkups are also a good time to learn about your body and if the symptoms you are facing are normal. You can also find out how to ease or manage uncomfortable symptoms.

When Should You Start Getting Prenatal Checkups?

You should begin prenatal checkups as soon as you confirm your pregnancy. In fact, a lot of people have these checkups done long before they get pregnant. These are called preconception planning or checks. Regardless, if you are unable to do that, it would be best to schedule a checkup as soon as you find out you are pregnant.

What Do They Do At The First Prenatal Appointment?

Your first prenatal checkup would usually be your longest one. The doctor will talk to you about your medical history, including vaccinations and previous pregnancies if you have had any. You may be asked about any experiences you may have had that could impact the health of your pregnancy, including sexual trauma or any other traumatic events in your life. Your doctor will also ask about the other parent’s medical history and the histories of both your families. After this, the doctor will give you a complete check-up, usually with a physical exam and blood and urine tests to make sure you are healthy. These tests include:
  • Urine pregnancy test: To confirm pregnancy
  • HCG Test: To confirm pregnancy
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for anaemia and infections
Your doctor will also talk to you about some changes you can make, such as:
  • Diet and lifestyle changes to accommodate food that provides nutrients to both you and your growing baby. They would also prescribe your prenatal vitamins. Folic acid is particularly crucial for preventing neural tube defects in the baby. Ideally, you should start taking folic acid while you are planning to get pregnant.
  • Your doctor will discuss the potential risks associated with certain medications during pregnancy. Some types of medications can be harmful for pregnancy as well. If you have questions about the safety of any medications, you should ask your doctor right away. Your doctor will give you advice about any changes you need to make to have the safest and healthiest pregnancy possible.

Prenatal Follow-up Visit in the First Trimester:

During follow-up visits, your doctor or physician will monitor your pregnancy’s progress and ensure both you and your baby are healthy. During these follow-up visits, the doctor will:
  • Update your medical history if needed
  • Check your urine
  • Check your weight and blood pressure
  • Measure the growth of your belly
  • Feel your belly to check the position of the baby
  • Check for swelling
  • Listen to the foetal heartbeat
  • Administer vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
  • Recommend other vaccines like the flu vaccine or hepatitis A vaccine if you are at risk
These follow-up sessions are also a good time for you to ask the doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

What to do Before The First Prenatal Appointment?

You can prepare yourself for the first prenatal appointment by:
  • Going over your medical history. This should include a list of all the health conditions you have had in the past, any surgeries, history of diseases in you and your family, genetic conditions, or substance abuse history. You should also ask your partner for his medical history
  • Make a list of medications: Make a list of all of the medications you take, noting down their dosages and how often you take them.
  • Questions: Write down any questions you may have and ask your doctor
  • Consider bringing a partner, family member, or friend for emotional support and assistance with questions
You can schedule prenatal checkups with your doctor immediately after finding out you are pregnant.

FAQs For Prenatal Checkups and Scans in the First Trimester

1. When should I schedule my first prenatal checkup?Ans: You should schedule a prenatal checkup immediately after you find out that you are pregnant. A lot of women start prenatal appointments when they are planning for the baby and before they get pregnant. However, if you are unable to do that, you can schedule one right after you find out that you are pregnant.2. What is the purpose of the first-trimester ultrasound?Ans: The first ultrasound checks to make sure that there actually is a pregnancy. It also checks if there are any complications with the pregnancy like an ectopic pregnancy.3. What should I ask my doctor during the first prenatal visit?Ans: You can make a note of any questions you have for your doctor for your first prenatal appointment. You should tell them about your symptoms and ask if you have concerns about any of them.4. Can I bring someone with me to my prenatal visits and scans?Ans: It is recommended that you bring someone along for support during your prenatal scans. You may bring a partner, family member or a friend. Medically approved by Dr Shobha Gupta Medical Director, Gynecologist and IVF Specialist from Mother's Lap IVF Centre New Delhi and Vrindavan.

About the Author

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Riddhi Roy

Riddhi Roy is a writer with over 6 years of experience, specializing in fields like health, fitness, pregnancy, fashion and lifestyle. She has written for several online publications. She aspires to always use her words to help people or to make an impact. She also makes sure that every piece she puts out is backed by relevant data that can add value to a reader’s life. She’s a stringent believer in health and nutrition. In her free time she likes to read, exercise and paint. She hopes to always use her communication skills to impart valuable information.

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