Ask friends and family about their experiences with pregnancy, and it’s likely you’ll find that no two answers are the same. Every pregnancy is different, but one thing’s for sure: Moms-to-be have questions galore flooding their minds from the moment they find out they’re expecting.
Finding out you’re pregnant is an exciting time. Caring for yourself and your baby throughout pregnancy is important, but the truth is that there are a lot of unknowns, especially if this is your first pregnancy.
The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. At Abortion Care, Sanford White, MD, and our team offer comprehensive prenatal care for expectant moms. Not only do regular appointments monitor your health and your baby’s growth, but these appointments are the perfect time to get all your questions answered.
Keep reading to find out what you can expect when it comes to prenatal care — from now until labor and delivery.
The first trimester
You can schedule your first prenatal appointment around week eight of pregnancy, or as soon as you know you’re pregnant. If you’re not sure whether you’re pregnant, we can perform a pregnancy test in the office and go from there. At your first appointment, we’ll estimate your due date and give you an overview of what to expect during the next nine months.
Your first prenatal appointment will likely be your longest. Most of the time, the first appointment lasts about an hour or more, as our team takes the time to review your medical history and perform a physical exam to better assess your health.
The purpose of your first appointment is to help you and our staff understand your pregnancy and your needs going forward. We’ll take a blood sample, perform a range of tests, and discuss everything from pre-existing health conditions to diet and exercise habits.
We’ll give you recommendations for prenatal vitamins and address morning sickness, if you’re bothered by symptoms.
The second trimester
After your first prenatal appointment, you can expect to have one appointment a month throughout your first and second trimesters, or until about week 28. It’s important to attend all of your scheduled appointments.
You’ll have your weight, blood pressure, and belly circumference measured at each appointment. We check your baby’s heart rate, too, and we might perform additional tests depending on your health needs.
Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you might have at your appointments. Now is the best time to get those questions answered and learn more about how your baby is growing and developing.
The third trimester
Between weeks 28 and 37, you might have prenatal appointments scheduled every two weeks. You’ll likely begin noticing significant changes in the way your body looks and feels during the third trimester, and pregnancy symptoms often intensify in those last few months.
Starting week 37, expect to have an appointment each week. We closely monitor your vital signs as the end of your pregnancy approaches, and we check your baby’s position at your appointments to help determine when you might start labor.
Your prenatal care continues through labor and delivery. Our team works with you to encourage a healthy delivery, and we’re there to help you feel as comfortable as possible throughout the experience.
Regular prenatal checkups are one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby while you’re pregnant, and we’re proud to provide you with top-quality prenatal care. Whether you’re pregnant now or you’re trying to become pregnant, schedule an appointment with Dr. White and our team to learn more. Call our office in Somerset, New Jersey at 732-408-6182.
