Pregnancy and prenatal care go hand in hand. Prenatal care is the healthcare you receive while you are pregnant. Take care of yourself and your baby by:
- Getting early prenatal care. If you know you are pregnant, or think you might be, call your doctor to schedule an appointment.
- Getting regular prenatal care. Your doctor will schedule you for many checkups throughout your pregnancy. Don’t miss any appointments. They are all important.
- Follow your doctor’s advice.
Prenatal care during the first trimester includes blood tests, physical exams, lifestyle conversations, and more.
Set aside time for the first visit to go over your medical history and talk about any risk factors for pregnancy problems you may have.
During your first visit, your healthcare provider may ask questions about your medical history, including:
Set aside time for the first visit to go over your medical history and talk about any risk factors for pregnancy problems you may have.
During your first visit, your healthcare provider may ask questions about your medical history, including:
- Your menstrual cycle, gynecological history, and any past pregnancies
- Your personal and family medical history
- Exposure to anything that could be toxic
- Medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or supplements
- Your lifestyle, including your use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drugs
- Travel to areas where malaria, tuberculosis, Zika virus, mpox, or other infectious diseases are common
During your first prenatal visit, your healthcare provider will also measure your weight and height to calculate your body mass index to determine how much weight you need for a healthy pregnancy. They will perform a physical exam, including a breast and pelvic exam. Depending on how long it’s been since your last Pap test, you might need a Pap test. Depending on your situation, you may need an exam of your heart, lungs, and thyroid.
Blood tests might be performed at this time to:
Blood tests might be performed at this time to:
- Check your blood type
- Measure your hemoglobin
- Check immunity to certain infections
- Detect exposure to other infections
Share information about sensitive issues, such as domestic abuse or past drug use. This will help your healthcare provider best care for you and your baby.
Your due date doesn’t predict when you will have your baby. It’s simply the date that you will be 40 weeks pregnant. Few people give birth on their due dates. Still, establishing your due or estimated date of delivery is important. It allows your healthcare provider to monitor your baby’s growth and the progress of your pregnancy. Your due date also helps schedule tests and procedures, so they are done at the right time.
During your prenatal care, prenatal tests can provide valuable information about your baby’s health. Your healthcare provider will typically offer a variety of prenatal genetic screening tests. They may include ultrasounds or blood tests to check for certain fetal genetic problems, such as Down syndrome.
Your healthcare provider might also discuss the importance of nutrition and prenatal vitamins. Ask about exercise, sex, dental care, vaccinations, traveling during pregnancy, and other lifestyle issues. You might also talk about your work environment and the use of medications during pregnancy. If you smoke, ask your healthcare provider for suggestions to help you quit.
At Jamaica Hospital's Department of Women's Health Services, we are passionate about meeting the various needs of women in our community. We proudly treat women from all walks of life and provide a warm and welcoming environment.
Your due date doesn’t predict when you will have your baby. It’s simply the date that you will be 40 weeks pregnant. Few people give birth on their due dates. Still, establishing your due or estimated date of delivery is important. It allows your healthcare provider to monitor your baby’s growth and the progress of your pregnancy. Your due date also helps schedule tests and procedures, so they are done at the right time.
During your prenatal care, prenatal tests can provide valuable information about your baby’s health. Your healthcare provider will typically offer a variety of prenatal genetic screening tests. They may include ultrasounds or blood tests to check for certain fetal genetic problems, such as Down syndrome.
Your healthcare provider might also discuss the importance of nutrition and prenatal vitamins. Ask about exercise, sex, dental care, vaccinations, traveling during pregnancy, and other lifestyle issues. You might also talk about your work environment and the use of medications during pregnancy. If you smoke, ask your healthcare provider for suggestions to help you quit.
At Jamaica Hospital's Department of Women's Health Services, we are passionate about meeting the various needs of women in our community. We proudly treat women from all walks of life and provide a warm and welcoming environment.
To learn more about our OB/GYN services or to make an appointment, contact us at 718-291-3276.
