First off, congratulations! Finding out you’re pregnant such a big moment, and it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions right now. Excitement, nerves, joy, and maybe even a little bit of anxiety — it’s all part of the experience.
If this is your first baby, you probably have a lot of questions about what to do after that positive pregnancy test. Even as a nurse, I didn’t know exactly what to expect during my own pregnancy, and those first few weeks between taking the test and seeing my doctor felt like an eternity
Knowing what to expect at your first prenatal appointment can help ease some of that worry and make you feel more prepared for everything that is to come. So let’s go through set by step what you can expect from your first prenatal visit and help calm some of those nerves!
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Why Prenatal Care Matters
Before we talk about what to expect at your first appointment, let’s go over quickly why prenatal care is so important during your pregnancy.
Even if you’re feeling great right now, your body is about to go through a lot of changes, and regular check-ins with your doctor or midwife help ensure that both you and your baby stay healthy.
Prenatal visits are when your provider can catch any developing health issues early, answer any questions you have, and walk you through each stage of pregnancy. Things can change even over the course of a week so regular monitoring is important.
When Should You Schedule Your First Prenatal Visit?
Once you have a positive pregnancy test, it’s time to call your provider and set up your first appointment. Every office is different, so don’t worry if your timeline doesn’t match exactly what someone else experienced.
Some doctors like to see patients as early as 6 weeks, while others wait until around 8 to 10 weeks. My doctor scheduled my first visit at 10 weeks, but it really depends on your provider’s preferences, their schedule, and when you found out you were pregnant.
It’s best to reach out soon after you test to get your appointment scheduled. They’ll let you know when they want to see you and may even give you tips to manage any early pregnancy symptoms while you wait.
What to Bring to Your First Prenatal Appointment?
You’re probably already nervous for the appointment and the last thing you want to do is forget something important. Here’s a quick list of what to bring with you, so you feel prepared and don’t have to stress about it the day of:
- Insurance card
- Driver’s license or ID
- A list of any medications you’re currently taking, including vitamins or supplements
- Any health conditions that run in your family or your partner’s family
- Your partner or another support person
You might also want to have any questions you’ve been thinking about written down, just so you don’t forget to ask during the appointment. It’s easy to forget in the moment and then wish you’d asked something later.
Talking Through Your Medical History
At your first prenatal appointment, you’ll likely start by meeting with a nurse or medical assistant before seeing your doctor. They’ll check your vital signs, like your blood pressure, height, and weight, and then ask you some questions about your health and medical history.
This part can feel a little overwhelming just because there are so many questions, but it’s all important for helping your provider take the best care of you and your baby. Here are some of the things they might ask:
- When was the first day of your last period?
- Have you had any previous pregnancies or miscarriages?
- Are you taking any medications or supplements?
- Do you have any allergies, especially to medications?
- Do you have any ongoing health conditions?
- Is there any family health history your provider should know about?
You don’t have to have all the answers to each question. Just be prepared with what you can, and your provider will help you work through the rest.
Meeting Your Doctor
After you’ve gone through your basic info, you’ll get to meet your doctor or midwife. For many, this is the first time you’re meeting them, so it’s totally normal to feel a little unsure or even nervous. This is your chance to see how you feel around them and whether they’re the right fit for you.
Pay attention to things like:
- Do you feel comfortable talking with them?
- Do they take the time to listen to you?
- Are they open to questions and explaining things in a way that makes sense?
- Does their approach and values line up with what you want for your pregnancy and birth?
It’s important to feel like you can trust your provider because you will be seeing them regularly for the next several months. Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask for clarification if something doesn’t sit right. This is your care, and your comfort matters.
Your doctor or midwife will also go over the information you gave earlier, ask a few follow-up questions, and give you some guidance for the first trimester — things like nutrition, how to handle common symptoms, and what to expect at your next visit.
This is also a great time for you to ask any questions you might have. If you’re not sure what to ask, I’ve got a helpful list to get you started: Best Questions to Ask at Your First Prenatal Appointment.
What Happens During the Exam
After you’ve had time to chat with your provider, they’ll probably do a basic physical exam. This is just to check your overall health and get a baseline assessment for your care. Here’s what usually happens:
- They’ll listen to your heart and lungs
- Check your abdomen
- Take your weight and blood pressure if not already done
If it’s early in your pregnancy, your provider might try to listen for your baby’s heartbeat. Sometimes this is done with an ultrasound, and sometimes with a small device called a Doppler. Hearing that heartbeat for the first time is the best part of the whole appointment!
You might also have a pelvic exam at this visit, especially if you’re due for a pap smear. It’s not the most comfortable part, but it’s quick, and it gives your provider helpful info about your reproductive health.
Testing You Might Have at Your First Appointment
Depending on your provider and how far along you are, there may be a few tests done to check your health and get some early info for your pregnancy. Here’s what you might expect:
Blood Work
You’ll probably have some blood drawn for what’s called a prenatal panel. This checks your blood type, Rh factor, immunity to certain diseases (like Rubella), and screens for things like anemia or infections. These are just basic checks to make sure everything is looking good now and to be a baseline for any future testing.
Urine Sample
You’ll also be asked for a urine sample. This helps confirm your pregnancy, checks for infection, and is something you’ll probably be asked to do at most visits.
Ultrasound
Some providers do an early ultrasound to confirm how far along you are and check on your baby’s development. This can be such an exciting part of the visit, especially if it’s your first time seeing your baby.
Not all doctors do an ultrasound at the first visit, so don’t worry if yours doesn’t. But don’t hesitate to ask them when the first ultrasound will be if it isn’t at this appointment.
After Your First Appointment
Once you’ve gone through everything, you’ll schedule your next prenatal visit, usually about a month later. It might feel like a lot right now, but each appointment helps you feel a little more confident and gives you the chance to check in on how you and your baby are doing.
Prenatal care is all about keeping you both healthy, and it’s okay if things don’t always follow a perfect plan. Just do your best to keep up with your check-ups, take care of yourself, and ask questions if something doesn’t feel right.
This is just the beginning, and believe me, it’ll go by faster than you think.
Also, keep in mind that every doctor or midwife might do things a little differently. If your experience looks a bit different from what’s here, that’s totally normal. The most important thing is that you feel supported and your care feels right for you.
Not Sure What to Ask?
It’s so easy to walk out of your appointment and realize you forgot to ask something. If you want to feel more prepared next time, check out this list of important questions to ask at your first prenatal appointment. It’s a helpful way to make sure you don’t miss anything on your mind.
