During your first prenatal visit, your provider, usually a physician or nurse midwife, will be taking a complete medical and famly history. Medical conditions will be evaluated and medications adjusted if necessary. Family history (for you and your partner) of genetic disorders, mental retardation, and birth defects, as well as ethnic origin may make genetic counseling desirable. Knowing the date of the last normal menstrual period is the basis for estimating your date of delivery. Of course no due date is absolute. Most women deliver within two weeks of their estimated date of delivery. A complete physical exam is also done at the first visit. The pelvic exam, if done early enough in pregnancy can also help confirm the due date.
Usually, many lab tests are done during the first prenatal visit. Blood tests are drawn to check for anemia, syphilis, history of German Measles, blood type, RH factor, hepatitis, and other conditions as indicated by your history or exam. Testing for HIV is now recommended for all women since early treatment during pregnancy can significantly lower the transmission rate of HIV to the fetus. A glucose screening test will be taken at some point during pregnancy to see if you show any signs of diabetes. During the pelvic exam, a Pap smear is done to check for cervical cancer, and cultures are taken to check for gonorrhea and chlamydia infections. Other tests may be done if they are warranted. All these tests help your provider chart a healthy course for you and your future baby.
