What to Expect During Your First Prenatal Visit and How to Prepare for a Healthy Pregnancy

Finding out you’re pregnant can bring excitement, questions, and plenty of uncertainty. One of your first steps is Scheduling a prenatal appointment. At the office of Alan B. Patterson, MD, in Coral Springs, Florida, Dr. Patterson provides personalized pregnancy care from the beginning of pregnancy through labor, delivery, and postpartum follow-ups.

What happens during your first prenatal visit?

Your initial prenatal appointment is a deep dive into your health history. It will include a physical exam, a Pap, and cultures. Dr. Patterson will also identify any factors that may affect your care. Your First Prenatal Visit starts your actual Prenatal Care.

Before your first prenatal visit, all of Dr. Patterson’s patients will have had initial Pregnancy blood work, which includes a quantitative B-HCG and a Progesterone level and Blood Type. After the initial blood work, an ultrasound is done in Dr. Patterson’s office to make sure you have a viable pregnancy, and hopefully not an early miscarriage. An early ultrasound is very good for dating the pregnancy and establishing your due date. The visit after that ultrasound is actually your First Prenatal Visit, which starts your prenatal care.

Your first visit is also a good time to talk openly about anything that concerns you, including previous pregnancy complications, chronic health conditions, or symptoms you’ve been experiencing. And Dr. Patterson will give you an overview of what to expect and will discuss any questions you have, because you and your husband or partner and Dr. Patterson are all on the same great team, so you have a great experience both during your pregnancy and at the time of your delivery. 

How can you prepare for your first prenatal visit?

Before your visit, it’s beneficial to make a list of all prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements you take. It can also help to write down the date of your last menstrual period, if you know it.

Bring information about your medical and family history, including previous pregnancies, surgeries, allergies, and significant health conditions. If you have records from another OB-GYN or health care provider, those may also be useful.

Most importantly, come prepared with any questions or concerns that have been on your mind. No question is too small when it comes to your health or your pregnancy.

How can you prepare for a healthy pregnancy?

Prenatal care is only one part of supporting a healthy pregnancy. Taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid, eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, getting adequate rest, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that can harm a developing baby are equally important.

You should also discuss any medications or supplements with Dr. Patterson, rather than stopping or starting them on your own. Our team can help determine what’s appropriate — and what should be avoided or replaced — during pregnancy.

When should you have your first prenatal appointment?

Once you have a positive pregnancy test, contact our office to schedule an initial visit with Dr. Patterson and the appropriate blood work, the B-HCG, Progesterone, and Blood type. Depending on your dates, then Dr Patterson will decide when you need your first ultrasound to make sure you have a viable fetus and for dating purposes to see if the ultrasound agrees with your menstrual date. After that ultrasound, the next visit will be your actual First Prenatal Visit!

If you’re unsure about how soon you should be seen, call our office and ask. Dr. Patterson will determine the appropriate timing for your first visit and any next steps, while you look forward to the months ahead.

If you have a history of pregnancy complications, chronic health conditions, or other concerns, Dr. Patterson may recommend an earlier evaluation or additional care. 

One-on-one pregnancy care in Coral Springs

At the Coral Springs practice of Alan B. Patterson, MD, our patients receive one-on-one care from Dr. Patterson throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum follow-ups. Dr. Patterson has performed over 6,500 deliveries, so he has more experience and expertise than anyone in the state, as there are very few, if any, full-time OBGYNs who have performed more deliveries than he has.

Unlike large OB-GYN groups where patients may see different doctors, Dr. Patterson develops an ongoing relationship with each patient and tailors care to their individual needs. And Dr. Patterson will be there for your labor and delivery!

If you’ve recently found out that you’re pregnant, or if you’re planning a pregnancy in the very near future, contact our Coral Springs, Florida, office to schedule a visit with Dr. Patterson. New patients are welcome, and same-day appointments may be available.