Your First Pregnancy Appointment
What to expect at your first pregnancy appointment
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I’m looking forward to providing the very best of pregnancy care to welcome your baby into the world.
So, let’s start at the
beginning.
Appointments with me throughout your pregnancy are all important, however our first time together is especially so.
The initial obstetric appointment is where we get to know each other – I will be seeking to understand your priorities, wishes and concerns and you will receive information from me that will support you all the way through your pregnancy.
First, we will undertake a comprehensive health check. We will discuss your general health, family history and any pregnancy risk factors. We’ll talk about common problems in pregnancy, some “do’s and don’ts” and we’ll cover some of the common pregnancy myths.
In your first appointment we will discuss a plan for your pregnancy which prioritises your wishes and concerns, labour, birth and hospital preferences. Don’t worry if not everything is covered in the first visit. The plan will evolve over time as the discussion develops over many visits and fills in the gaps.
At each appointment we will do an ultrasound of your developing baby and look and listen to the heartbeat. This is such a special experience for expectant parents.
Information will be provided about some of the education sessions you can attend as you prepare to welcome your baby. Expert classes on labour, childbirth and breast feeding are all available to you.
During your first appointment, I will let you know about key appointment dates and arrange your pregnancy blood tests and ultrasounds. Information on genetic testing will also be provided. Your appointments with me will usually follow a schedule of 4 weekly visits. From 28 weeks onwards they become increasingly frequent until they are weekly visits close to the time of birth.
There is a lot of information shared at your first appointment and it can be overwhelming, so ask questions, take notes and we will work through it together.
I want to reassure you that the wellbeing of my patients and their baby is always my first priority.
