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Step 1
The beginning of your appointment will be the same or similar to all other appointments and it not invasive. You can expect to be weighed, blood pressure taken, your lungs and heart checked, and you will be asked to give a urine sample.
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Step 2
Your medical history and your family medical history will be taken. Based on the answers to these questions, your doctor may suggest various tests, a certain diet, or specialty care.
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Step 3
At the first appointment you may be fully undressed so your breasts can be examined in addition to an internal exam. The internal exam is to check the uterus position, size, and shape. While this is important it is also very uncomfortable, and your doctor know this and should try and make it as comfortable as possible.
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Step 4
Blood tests are common with the first appointment. They will check for blood count to check for pregnancy hormone levels and a few other conditions that may cause problems.
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Step 5
Depending on how far along you are, you may also get to hear your baby’s heartbeat through a hand held Doppler. This will be used with some gel on your abdomen and will pick up the heartbeat sometime after 10 weeks, although the exact time varies with each pregnancy and woman.
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Step 6
You may be given a prescription for prenatal vitamins and any information you may need at that point, such as when you next appointment will be. You can also use this time to ask questions you may have.
