Finding out you're pregnant is very exciting. Still, once the excitement dies down, it's essential to start planning for your and your baby's health. Prenatal appointments are a necessary aspect of pregnancy to ensure you and your baby are healthy from conception to birth.
Many people need to follow a regular prenatal appointment schedule unless they're high-risk or have underlying health issues that require more frequent monitoring and care. Making your first appointment is critical for your unborn baby's health and development.
At Collaborative Women's Care in Miami, Florida, we are here with you through every step of your pregnancy. Dr. Eduardo Valdes is an experienced OB/GYN who helps you through each trimester through prenatal appointments, 3D and 4D ultrasounds, and concierge visits for your convenience.
Prenatal appointments help to ensure that your baby is growing and developing properly and that we catch any complications along the way that impact you or your baby.
You make your first prenatal appointment when you find out you're pregnant. The first visit is a little longer because Dr. Valdes covers a lot, including your medical history. Knowing your medical history helps him determine if you may have any difficulties during your pregnancy.
Dr. Valdes also asks you when you started your last period to establish your due date. The calculation helps him determine when you'll be full-term or 40 weeks, but it’s not guaranteed that you will have the baby on that day.
He may also order lab testing to determine your blood type and Rh status. He may also discuss genetic testing options if you're interested in them, and talk to you about prenatal vitamins and nutrition.
Your first appointment is very informative. You have the option to ask any questions or discuss any concerns. Dr. Valdes also gives you tips to stay healthy and comfortable during your pregnancy.
Once you have a positive pregnancy test, you can schedule your first prenatal appointment. Simply call the office, and our team will schedule you in a timely manner.
We may recommend blood work before your appointment to get an accurate HCG level, which confirms pregnancy and how far along you are. At your first appointment, we may also want an ultrasound to find the baby's heartbeat.
Prenatal appointments occur throughout your pregnancy to make sure you and the baby are doing well. Everyone has different health issues and needs, meaning not every woman has the same appointment scheduling intervals.
Women with normal pregnancies who are healthy and don't have any risk factors can expect to have prenatal appointments every four weeks from four weeks gestation to 28 weeks gestation.
Once you reach 28 weeks, you'll begin to have more frequent appointments. From 28 weeks gestation until 36 weeks, you should come in once every two weeks. After your 36-week appointment, we want to see you every week until you give birth.
For many women, the above schedule is typical. However, some women need closer monitoring, which means more frequent appointments.
You may need a different prenatal appointment schedule if you're in your teens or over 35. Both young moms and older moms are at risk for preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, which warrants closer monitoring.
Pregnant women with multiple babies, including twins or triplets, also require close monitoring. Multiples increase the risk of complications, preterm labor, and premature birth.
Other preexisting health conditions also increase the risk of complications, which is why we want to see you more often if you're overweight, diabetic, or have high blood pressure.
To schedule your first prenatal appointment, call our office in Miami, Florida, and request an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.
