What to expect at each prenatal visit?

What to expect at each prenatal visit is a gradual and exciting introduction to the newest member of your family! Over the course of your pregnancy, you will see, hear and feel your new baby. At delivery, you will finally be able to put a face to the precious child you've come to know.
At the first visit, you will begin to establish a new rapport with your doctor. Discussion will begin with the date of your last period to establish your due date. Your health history will be reviewed. If you have any medical problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, these issues will be addressed. Modifications to the number or frequency of visits and ultrasounds will be made.
Various outside factors in your life need to be addressed. For example, if you have cats, we ask you not to change their litter box or get too snuggly with them. If you travel for business or have a particularly strenuous job, this should be discussed.
Some basic rules of thumb are:

Check with your doctor on all prescription drugs.
Stay away from caffeine and alcohol.
Keep exercise to 30 minutes a day maximum for aerobics and keep your pulse under 140 beats per minute.
Travel is okay on an individual basis, up to about 30 weeks.

After going over this information, you will receive an exam. A breast check and pap smear will be done, as well as cultures for bacteria and blood work to check your blood type and count, to rule out any sexually transmitted diseases, and to check your carrier status for cystic fibrosis.
Now for the most exciting part: the ultrasound to see your little white dot! Depending on how far along you are, you may see a heartbeat, arm and leg buds, and sometimes even spontaneous movement of the baby.
The next visits are every four weeks, up to 30 weeks gestation. They are quick and easy. Each read more