First Prenatal Appointment: What to Expect & When to Schedule

Question
1.  How soon should I make my first appointment after a home test is positive?

2.  How long will the first appt last?

3.  What tests/paperwork/questions should I expect?

Answer
Your first ob visit should be made at 8 weeks from the first day  of your last period. At this visit, a complete medical history will be taken including menstrual history, family history, etc. A PAP smear and pelvic exam will be done and blood will be drawn for CBC, Hepatitis B surface antigen, VDRL, Antibodies, HIV, Rubella, varicella. Sometimes cultures for chlamydia and gonnorhea are done as well. You will be advised of diet, exercise, and medication use and you will be scheduled for an appointment every month. At 28 weeks gestation, a glucose tolerance test will be done and at 36 weeks you will be tested for Groip B Strep. Any questions you have should be addressed to your obstetrician, who should be available to you at any time.