What to Expect At Your Prenatal Care Visits

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Standards of Care, you can expect the following at your prenatal visits:

The first prenatal care visit starts with a doctor asking questions about you and your health.

Your doctor also gives you a physical exam, including

• Blood pressure and temperature checks
• Weight and height recording
• Mouth and teeth exam
• Breast exam
• Pelvic exam
• Pap smear
• Blood and urine tests
• Counseling and voluntary, confidential testing for HIV
• Counseling on the importance of taking prenatal vitamins every day
• Counseling about what to expect during your pregnancy, including danger signs, eating a health healthy diet, problems that could happen and health risk-taking behaviors and how to avoid things that make your pregnancy unhealthy

Ask questions! Make a list of questions to take with you to your appointment. The prenatal visit is for you.

Later in your pregnancy your doctor will check your health to see if you and your baby are healthy. Later prenatal visits include:

• Weight and blood pressure checks
• Measuring the baby’s growth
• Checking the baby’s heart rate
• Special tests you may need to find out about your health or the health of your baby
• Physical exams as needed