If you recently found out you’re pregnant, you might wonder about what comes next. The first step is to confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan. Often, providers will schedule this around the seven or eight-week mark based on the date of your last period.
Once you have this scan and confirm pregnancy, it’s time to start prenatal care. But why does this even matter if your ultrasound results are normal?
Read on to learn why prenatal care is so essential for your health and well-being. If you haven’t confirmed your pregnancy yet or need help finding a prenatal care provider, visit us for a free appointment. We’re here to help you consider your options and provide support, resources, and early pregnancy services.
Prenatal Care: How Often and What Happens?
Pregnancy is a serious medical condition that comes with many physical and hormonal changes. There are so many intricate things happening in your body as your pregnancy develops.
During your first trimester, you will likely visit your health care provider every four weeks. These visits become more frequent as your pregnancy progresses, switching to every two weeks, then weekly around the end of the third trimester.
These visits consist of taking your vitals, measuring your weight, running routine tests, and giving a physical exam. As your pregnancy progresses, your doctor may use a small device called a Doppler to listen to your baby’s heartbeat and measure the size of your stomach (fundal height). You may also provide a urine sample for ongoing checks for UTIs and other issues.
There are milestones throughout pregnancy for certain tests and medications, such as initial blood work to check your blood type, measure your hemoglobin, assess immunity to certain infections, and detect exposure to specific STIs. All of these will help your healthcare provider understand how to best care for you during pregnancy.
Why Do These Visits Matter?
Even women who are the picture of health before pregnancy can have certain issues appear with them or their pregnancies for the first time. Attending regular appointments ensures the best outcomes for both you and your baby, as you will be screened the entire time and can ask questions about any concerns at every visit.
During prenatal care, you can also reach out to your doctor if any concerns arise during your pregnancy, and they can help address any urgent issues. For instance, if you experience spotting, notice your blood pressure spiked, or do not feel any fetal movement later in your pregnancy, you can reach out immediately. Access to a care team for quick help is invaluable.
How Can The Open Door Help?
The Open Door provides free and confidential pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STI screening, some prenatal care services, and more.
Contact us to schedule your complimentary initial appointment, and we can discuss how we can assist you with your specific situation. We’re here to ensure your health is taken care of and you feel supported.
