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What To Expect at Your First OB Visit

Congratulations on your new pregnancy!
You are probably anxious for your first visit, but at the same time nervous at what may occur. One way we can ease your nervousness is to explain what to expect when you have your first visit. Below is a list of things to look forward to.

Meet the Nurses and Provider- When you come to the office for the first time you will be welcomed to the Adler Center by the front desk staff. They will take your insurance information and have you fill out forms that will help us take care of you throughout your pregnancy. We request that you come 30 minutes early to your first visit so all the paperwork can be completed. You will become very familiar with the front desk staff since they will be the ones to answer the phone when you call for appointments and they will welcome you at each visit. They can answer any basic questions you may have upon arrival. The next person you will meet will be a nurse. She will call you from the waiting room to an exam room. On the way you will be weighed and ask to leave a urine sample. (During pregnancy we watch you for too little weight gain or too much! We also want to ensure you are not dehydrated or have a urinary tract infection, so your urine is tested at each visit.)
Complete Medical History- The same nurse that brought you back to the exam room will sit with you and review your health history. She will collect information on any surgeries or conditions you have had since childhood. We will review your family history also. It is helpful for you to make a list prior to your visit on any information that will allow us to take care of you best. Talk with your parents and the father of the baby to ensure you haven’t missed any important details.
Determine Your Due Date- It is important for you to bring in to your visit a record of your periods for the last few months. If you don’t keep track of them try to estimate the last time you remember having a period. We determine your due date based upon your last period. It is best to come for your first OB visit after 9 weeks so we can hear the baby’s heartbeat!
Physical Exam- A provider (Midwife or Physician) will complete a head to toe assessment similar to a physical exam you may get yearly at your family doctor. For example, we will take your blood pressure and listen to your heart and lungs. We will discuss with you the findings and answer any questions you may have as we do the exam.
The Baby's Heartbeat- This is the most exciting part of your visit. If you are past the 9^th week of pregnancy we will be able to listen to the heartbeat of the baby. We use a machine called a Doppler at each of your visits to determine the rate of the baby’s heartbeat. A normal heartbeat is between 120-160 (That’s a rate twice as fast as yours!) Occasionally we may not be able to hear the heartbeat at your first visit. This is because you may be unsure of the date of your last period or you may be less than 9 weeks pregnant or your uterus may be tilted. In this case we will bring you back sooner for your next visit or we will order an ultrasound to confirm your due date.
Pelvic Exam- During most first exams the provider will complete a brief vaginal exam where a pap smear will be collected and cotton swabs will be used to collect samples to ensure there is no infection. The exam is not painful and only takes a few moments to complete. It is important for us to ensure the inside is healthy. A pelvic exam is typically ONLY done once in your pregnancy, unless you develop signs of infection later in pregnancy. Occasionally vaginal exams are done to determine if you are dilated, but those aren’t done until later in pregnancy.
Prenatal Vitamins- We will be giving you samples of many different types of vitamins and at your next visit you need to let us know which one you liked the best. It is important that every day you eat a well balanced diet, take a vitamin, and drink 8-10 glasses of water.
Blood Work- We have a phlebotomist (person who draws blood) on-site who can do your labs here in the office. We check many different things when looking at the components of your blood and each one will be reviewed with you at your next office visit. We ask that you get your blood drawn during your visit. We will receive your results within a few days. If anything is worrisome we will call you.
Education and Questions- The same provider that did your exam will sit with you and go over what to expect at your next visit. We will also review the handouts you will receive including a pregnancy guide we have developed to prepare you for the weeks and months ahead as a newly pregnant woman.

Again, Congratulations on your pregnancy!
We look forward to meeting with you and welcoming you to the Adler Center for Women’s Health! Our Goal is to ensure you remain healthy and the pregnancy progresses without problems. We are concerned with your health history and your well being so it is important to exam you and the baby on a regular basis. We want to empower you with information and education. Please feel free to talk with any of us if you ever have concerns or questions.