If you’re here, I’m guessing you’ve recently found out you are pregnant. Congratulations! Whether this is your first baby or you have done this before, those first few weeks can definitely be a mix of excitement, nerves, and a million questions running through your head.
One of the first big events in early pregnancy is your first prenatal appointment. This is likely your first time meeting your doctor and you get to talk through what to expect in the coming months of pregnancy. If you are anything like I was, you might be wondering how to make the most of that visit.
Before I became a mom, I worked as a labor and delivery nurse, and I helped women through pregnancy and birth every day. I thought I had a good idea of what to expect when it was my turn, but once I was the patient, I realized how clueless I was. I ended up jotting down a bunch of questions before my appointment to chat with my provider about. It gave me peace of mind and keep me on track during my appointment to make sure I left with the answered I needed.
So, I’ve put together a list of practical questions you can bring to your first prenatal visit. These are the same kinds of things I asked, along with what I recommend now to other moms, to help you feel confident and ready for your pregnancy journey.
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Best Questions to Ask at Your First Prenatal Appointment
1. What symptoms can I expect during first trimester?
First trimester can be super overwhelming. Every woman experiences it differently, so ask your doctor about symptoms you can expect to have and how to manage them.
2. What symptoms are normal and which ones should I be concerned about?
As a first time mom, it can be difficult to know what is a normal symptom and what is more serious. Ask your doctor when you should be concerned and come in to get checked out outside of your regular appointments.
3. What do I do if I have questions or problems after office hours?
Sometimes questions or concerns come up when the office is closed. Make sure you know who to contact and what number to call if you need help in the evening or on weekends.
4. Are there any risk factors I should be aware of?
During your first prenatal appointment, you will be going over a detailed personal and family medical history. After going over this, you will want to ask your doctor if you are showing any risk factors for complications.
Things like age, weight, and pre-existing medical conditions can all contribute to complications.
It is also important to find out if your doctor and hospital are able to handle high-risk pregnancies if this applies to you.
5. What exercises are safe for pregnancy?
Exercise is an important part of keeping your body healthy for pregnancy. You will want to ask what kinds of exercise your doctor recommends for you and what exercises to avoid.
It is also important to ask how often you should be exercising and avoid overdoing it.
6. Should I make any changes to my diet?
Nutrition matters during pregnancy. Ask about foods to avoid and what you should be eating more of to support your health and your baby’s growth.
7. What medications are safe to take while pregnant?
This is so important to ask because at some point during your pregnancy you will likely need to take medications for a cold, allergies, or even just a headache. If there are daily medications or supplements you are already taking, discuss these with your doctor and make sure they are safe for pregnancy.
8. What prenatal vitamins should I be taking?
There are many different brands of prenatal vitamins out there. You doctor can recommend a few that would be good for you to take.
9. How much weight gain is healthy during my pregnancy?
It is important to know how much weight is healthy for your pregnancy. This amount can vary person to person depending on a variety of factors. Ask your doctor what to look for and monitor during your pregnancy.
10. Will you be the one to deliver my baby?
You might assume that your doctor will automatically be the person who will deliver your baby, and that may be the case!
Some doctors have an on-call rotation with other partners. You will want to know how your provider handles things and potentially meet the other doctors who could possibly deliver your baby. This will hopefully reduce your anxiety if something were to come up!
11. Can I travel during pregnancy?
Are you already dreaming about a potential babymoon trip? Before booking, make sure it is safe to do so. Talk with your doctor about specifics of when in pregnancy it is ok to travel and where you are thinking of traveling to.
12. Are there any prenatal classes you recommend?
If you are interested in taking a prenatal class, check with your doctor’s office to see if they host one there. If not, they likely will have recommendations for local classes and meetings.
13. How often will I have prenatal appointments?
Most women start with monthly visits, then come more often as the due date gets closer. Ask what your schedule will look like and if any extra tests or ultrasounds are planned.
14. What screenings or tests will I need?
There are many different tests and screenings you can have done while you are pregnant. The most common one is genetic screening, but your provider can explain other screenings that may be indicated based on your medical history and risk factors.
It is important to know what tests you will need to have throughout your pregnancy early on so you can check with your insurance for coverage. That way, you know what you will be expected to pay, so there aren’t any big surprises!
Final Thoughts:
Being a first-time mom can feel like a lot, but coming into your first prenatal appointment with these questions can help you feel more confident and in control. Your care team is there to support you, so do not hesitate to bring up anything that is on your mind.
Grab the free printable checklist here to make it easy to bring these questions with you and take notes during your visit.
Did I miss any questions you found helpful? Share them in the comments. I would love to hear what helped you feel more prepared!
