10 Questions You Should Ask at Your Prenatal Appointment
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Finding out you’re expecting is a moment of joy and excitement. But on hearing this news, you might also feel overwhelmed and hit by a whole host of emotions, and most importantly, your mind might be flooded with a lot of questions. Don’t let your emotions and curiosity get the best of you.
Put your mind at ease by scheduling a prenatal appointment with your doctor. But what should you expect at the first prenatal visit? What questions should you actually ask during your first prenatal appointment? In this guide, we have covered some essential questions to ask at your first prenatal visit for a healthy and informed start to your pregnancy.
10 Must-Ask Questions During Your First Prenatal Appointment
Your first prenatal visit has been set, but you are not sure what to ask your gynaecologist about. This prenatal visit checklist enlists ten questions you must ask during your first prenatal appointment for an informed pregnancy journey:
Q.1 What Should I Expect During My First Trimester?
The first trimester is a transformative period. So, when preparing for a first-trimester doctor visit, you must ask your gynaecologist what to expect during your first trimester to be prepared beforehand.
Your doctor will explain the hormonal changes and common symptoms you can expect. In addition, they will inform you which symptoms are normal and which might require attention for a safe pregnancy.
You will also have essential early screenings and ultrasounds to confirm the pregnancy and track the development of your unborn child. Moreover, you are more likely to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time during the first trimester.
Q.2 Are There Any Risks Based on My Medical History?
Your medical history can potentially have an impact on your pregnancy and present certain risks. If you have any autoimmune diseases, thyroid issues, diabetes, or hypertension, you should talk to your doctor, as these conditions might require special monitoring. And your care plan will be customised accordingly to reduce risk and ensure both you and your baby remain healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Q.3 What Prenatal Screenings or Tests Will I Need?
During pregnancy, your gynaecologist will recommend you undergo various prenatal tests to monitor your baby’s health and development. Are you curious about what tests are done at the first prenatal appointment? You might have to undergo routine blood and urine tests to check for conditions like anaemia, blood type compatibility, and infections. You’ll also undergo ultrasounds to assess your baby’s growth and detect any potential abnormalities.
Depending on your medical history or family background, genetic screenings might also be suggested to check for conditions like Down syndrome or neural tube defects.
Q.4 What Over-the-Counter Medications are Safe for Pregnancy?
You will probably need non-prescription medication when pregnant for bad stomach, headache, heartburn, back pain, etc. But always know that not all over-the-counter medications are suitable for pregnancy. So, you should essentially ask your doctor for a list of recommended OTC medicines and their dosage so that you can take them safely during your pregnancy.
Q.5 How Much Weight Should I Gain?
Women gain different amounts of weight during pregnancy depending on their pre-pregnancy weight and general health. Your OB-GYN will provide advice on how to keep a healthy weight range for each trimester while ensuring proper nutrition for your baby. Besides this, your healthy weight gain range can change when carrying twins.
In addition, your gynaecologist will keep track of your weight during each appointment to ensure you are not gaining too much or too little weight.
Q.6 What Should and What Shouldn’t I Eat?
During pregnancy, your diet plays a crucial role in supporting your health and your baby’s development. Your pregnancy diet should be full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, protein sources like beans, lean meat, eggs, nuts, etc., and healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, etc.
Other than that, you should always avoid having raw or undercooked meats and eggs, unpasteurised dairy products, excessive caffeine, high-mercury fish, and alcohol.
Q.7 Are There Any Activities I Should Avoid?
Your gynaecologist will suggest staying active during pregnancy to maintain your and your baby’s health and ease pregnancy symptoms. You can walk, swim, do yoga, or even do strength training.
However, certain activities might not be safe during pregnancy, such as heavy lifting, high-intensity workouts, high-impact sports, and activities with a risk of falling, dehydration, and overheating. In addition, you shouldn't expose yourself to harmful substances or environments.
Q.8 What Vaccinations Should I Receive?
Vaccinations are essential to prenatal care, helping protect you and your baby from preventable diseases. The vaccines you need during pregnancy might vary depending on specific risk factors like working, travelling, or chronic illness.
Here’s a breakdown of the key vaccines typically recommended during pregnancy:
Essential Vaccines
Flu Vaccine | Protects against common seasonal influenza, which can be more severe in pregnant women and increase the risk of complications like preterm labour. |
Adult Tdap Vaccine | A pregnant woman should have this vaccine anytime between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. You will not develop tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis, safeguarding your baby until they can be vaccinated. |
Other Vaccines You May Need
Hepatitis B Vaccine | If you are at risk of contracting hepatitis B, getting vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent transmission to your baby. |
COVID-19 Vaccine | This vaccination will protect you against severe illness and complications associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy. |
Vaccines to Avoid During Pregnancy
Always remember that not all vaccines might do good to your body during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider might suggest you avoid getting these vaccines when expecting:
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Q.9 Can I Travel During Pregnancy?
Long travel, particularly road travel, is not considered safe although it depends on your health and the stage of your pregnancy. Your OB-GYN will advise you on the best time to travel, the precautions to take, and how to stay comfortable during journeys.
For instance, the second trimester, i.e., 14 to 28 weeks, is often considered the safest and most comfortable time to travel since you might not experience morning sickness, and the risk of complications is lower during this period. Also, to stay comfortable and safe when travelling, you should stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, and use a seatbelt properly with the lap belt below your belly.
Q.10 How Should I Expect and Prepare for Labor and Delivery?
While it may seem early, discussing labour and delivery can help ease your mind. When in labour and ready to deliver, your healthcare provider will perform cervical exams intermittently to figure out cervical dilation and effacement. Moreover, he might also suggest some interventions, like fetal monitoring, IV, etc., for your and your baby’s well-being.
Other than that, your gynaecologist will guide you about your birthing options, such as natural birth, epidurals, or cesarean sections, and recommend attending childbirth education classes.
Wrapping Up
When expecting, you tend to take many critical steps, one of which should be scheduling a prenatal appointment. The initial prenatal appointment will help you gain insights into your pregnancy journey and outline your care plan. But to make the most of this experience, you must be prepared with the above-discussed first prenatal visit questions.
Are you seeking guidance for your pregnancy journey? Book your first prenatal appointment with a Medanta gynaecologist for a wealth of accurate information and advice!
FAQs
1. Can I discuss my mental health concerns during my prenatal appointments?
Absolutely! Prenatal appointments are a safe space to address any emotional or mental health challenges you may be experiencing during pregnancy.
2. Can I bring my partner or a support person to all my appointments?
Most providers encourage partner involvement. Check with your doctor's office about their specific policies on support persons.
3. Is it too early to ask about breastfeeding during my first trimester?
No! Early discussions about breastfeeding can help you prepare and address any concerns you may have.
4. What if I have a question that seems silly or insignificant?
There are no silly questions! Your provider is there to answer all your questions and address any concerns you may have.
5. How can I best manage stress during pregnancy?
Stress management techniques like relaxation exercises, yoga, and meditation can be beneficial. Discuss stress management strategies with your doctor, and consider joining a prenatal yoga class.
Citations
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Guinhouya, B. C., Duclos, M., Enea, C., & Storme, L. (2022). Beneficial Effects of Maternal Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Fetal, Newborn, and Child Health: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives. Journal of Midwifery & Women S Health, 67(S1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13424
Heude, B., Thiébaugeorges, O., Goua, V., Forhan, A., Kaminski, M., Foliguet, B., Schweitzer, M., Magnin, G., & Charles, M. A. (2011). Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Relations with Gestational Diabetes and Hypertension, and Birth Outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(2), 355–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0741-9
Marshall, N. E., Abrams, B., Barbour, L. A., Catalano, P., Christian, P., Friedman, J. E., Hay, W. W., Hernandez, T. L., Krebs, N. F., Oken, E., Purnell, J. Q., Roberts, J. M., Soltani, H., Wallace, J., & Thornburg, K. L. (2021). The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 226(5), 607–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035
What are some factors that make a pregnancy high risk? (2024, May 9). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/high-risk/conditioninfo/factors
