-
During the first three months of pregnancy your body will endure a lot of changes. You may be more tired and fatigued than normal. You also feel nauseous and may vomit. Another change is that you will need to urinate frequently, may begin to gain weight and can feel emotional from time to time.
During those first few doctor visits ask your physician about morning sickness if your nausea conflicts with everyday routines. Excessive morning sickness needs to be addressed immediately and your physician can prescribe safe and effective medications you can take to reduce the effects. Exercise is a great way to keep morning sickness at bay so ask your doctor what you can do in terms of working out.
Don't forget to ask about foods you should avoid. Sushi and certain fish that contain mercury are off limits so ask your doctor for a list of foods they want you to avoid during pregnancy.
Ask about prenatal tests and a general overview of what you can expect at each doctor's appointment. Some obstetricians offer a detailed patient booklet that informs them what their practice provides throughout the nine months. You'll also want to know if your doctor participates in a group practice and if she will be the one you'll see for most of your appointments and will deliver your baby.
Find out which medicines are safe for you to take for common colds and flu during your pregnancy as well as any other specific do's and don'ts such as coloring your hair. Obtain emergency contact information and after hours phone numbers in case of an emergency. -
As your belly begins to grow and you start to feel more pregnant than sick, you'll encounter a new set of questions to ask your doctor. Many of the tests you asked about in the first trimester are performed during the second trimester. Ask about what they mean to your health and your pregnancy.
You will also be able to learn the baby's sex through ultrasound at this time. Decide before your appointment if you want to know if it's a boy or a girl. Ask your doctor about types of ultrasounds they perform because some new parents are able to see their baby in a three-dimensional ultrasound.
Inquire about the hospital you will deliver in and ask if they give prenatal tours. Sign up for a child birth class and ask your doctor for recommendations. -
During the final stages of pregnancy you'll experience a whole new set of aches, pains and weight gain. The baby is rapidly growing and developing during these final few months and you'll be experiencing some anxiety about childbirth.
Ask about what constitutes as normal bleeding, what happens if your water breaks and what kind of exercise is safe to do during these last few months.
Ask your doctor to formulate a game plan for when you are going to deliver. Ask her about medication, natural childbirth options and find out when a c-section would be necessary.
Find out how often you will visit the office, when you'll be checked for dilation and when you should call if you think you are in labor.
