At our OBGYN offices in Queens and Long Island, we focus on personalized maternity care in a friendly and supportive environment. We believe that prenatal care is a key component of a healthy pregnancy, so we recommend that women schedule their first prenatal appointment soon after they receive a positive pregnancy test. Show
How to Prepare for Your First Prenatal AppointmentThe first prenatal appointment is usually the longest and most comprehensive. During this appointment, we will accurately determine how far along you are in pregnancy. We will also:
To prepare for your first prenatal appointment, you should plan to bring:
It is also helpful to know the first day of your last menstrual period. If you track your periods on an app or a calendar, bring it with you. What Happens During Your First Prenatal AppointmentDuring your first prenatal visit, we will perform several tests and exams, which may include:
At your prenatal appointment, we will review:
We will also discuss your personal habits, including diet, exercise, and sleep, and we will provide a prescription or recommendation for prenatal vitamins. Questions You May Want to Ask During Your Prenatal AppointmentEvery pregnancy is different, so it’s important to ask questions, even if you’ve had a baby before. Here are some questions you might want to ask your doctor:
Will You See Your Baby on an Ultrasound or Sonogram?One of the most common questions from pregnant women is whether they will see their baby on an ultrasound or sonogram during their first prenatal appointment. The answer is…it depends. At 6 weeks from your last menstrual period, we typically see a tiny fetus and a flicker of a heartbeat on sonogram. By 10 weeks or so, the baby is fully formed. We perform ultrasounds early in pregnancy to confirm the due date and status of your pregnancy. Sonograms before 12 weeks of pregnancy are performed internally, using a vaginal probe. The process is not painful or harmful to the baby. How Often Do You Need to Have Prenatal Appointments?After your initial prenatal appointment, we will see you approximately every 4-5 weeks in the early stages of your pregnancy, and more frequently after 28 weeks (or 7 months) of pregnancy. Review our Prenatal Care Schedule for more details. We’re Here to HelpIf you need maternity care, contact us today. Our gynecologists and OBGYNs are some of the top gynecologists in Queens and Long Island, delivering at the Katz Women’s Hospital at LIJ/Northwell. We can help you with your pregnancy questions and concerns, and we look forward to welcoming you and your babyinto our practice! Pregnancy care - first trimester You should schedule your first prenatal visit soon after you learn that you are pregnant. Your doctor or midwife will: Your doctor or midwife will listen for your baby's heartbeat, but may not be
able to hear it. Most often, the heartbeat cannot be heard or seen on ultrasound until at least 6 to 7 weeks. During this first visit, your doctor or midwife will ask you questions about: You will have many visits to talk about a birthing plan. You can also discuss it with your doctor or midwife at your first visit. The first visit will also be a good time to talk about: You will also be given prenatal
vitamins with iron if you are not already taking them. In your first trimester, you will have a prenatal visit every month. The visits may be quick, but they are still important. It is OK to bring your partner or labor coach with you. During your visits, your doctor or midwife will:
At the end of each visit, your doctor or midwife will tell you what changes to expect before your next visit. Tell your doctor if you have any problems or concerns. It is OK to talk about them even if you do not feel that they are important or related to your pregnancy. Lab TestsAt your first visit, your doctor or midwife will draw blood for a group of tests known as the prenatal panel. These tests are done to find problems or infections early in the pregnancy. This panel of tests includes, but is not limited to:
UltrasoundsAn ultrasound is a simple, painless procedure. A wand that uses sound waves will be placed on your belly. The sound waves will let your doctor or midwife see the baby. You should have an ultrasound done in the first trimester to get an idea of your due date. Genetic TestingAll women are offered genetic testing to screen for birth defects and genetic problems, such as Down syndrome or brain and spinal column defects.
Women who may be at higher risk for these genetic problems include:
In one test, your provider can use an ultrasound to measure the back of the baby's neck. This is called nuchal translucency.
Another test, called chorionic villus sampling (CVS), can detect Down syndrome and other genetic disorders as early as 10 weeks into a pregnancy. A newer test, called cell free DNA testing, looks for small pieces of your baby's genes in a sample of blood from the mother. This test is newer, but offers a lot of promise for accuracy without risks of miscarriage. There are other tests that may be done in the second trimester. When to Call the DoctorCall your provider if:
ReferencesGregory KD, Ramos DE, Jauniaux ERM. Preconception and prenatal care. In:.Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 5. Hobel CJ, Williams J. Antepartum care. In: Hacker N, Gambone JC, Hobel CJ, eds. Hacker & Moore's Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 7. Magowan BA, Owen P, Thomson A. Antenatal and postnatal care. In: Magowan BA, Owen P, Thomson A, eds. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 22. Williams DE, Pridjian G. Obstetrics. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 20. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 6/2/2020 Reviewed by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.  What is usually done at first prenatal visit?Your first visit may include a full physical exam, including breast and pelvic exams, as well as some routine blood and urine tests. You will spend time talking to us about what to expect during your your first trimester and the rest of your pregnancy.
Do you have an ultrasound at your first prenatal visit?No matter which type of provider you choose, an initial appointment usually includes lab tests and an ultrasound, though in some circumstances the provider may schedule the ultrasound at a later date.
Do husbands go to the first prenatal visit?If you have a partner, ask them to join you for that first prenatal appointment. “It's a lot to take in on one visit,” says Susan Thorne, department chief of obstetrics and gynaecology and medical director of the Maternal Newborn Program at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa.
How do I prepare for my first prenatal visit?Your healthcare provider might ask about a variety of topics at your first appointment. Gather information for your first visit, including: Your menstrual cycle, gynecological history and any past pregnancies. Your personal and family medical history.
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What happens at my first prenatal appointment
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