Important Pregnancy Doctor Visits

Yipee, you're pregnant! Now you have nine months to get prepared for your bundle of joy to join your family. Along the way you're going to get the chance to get to know your doctor very well because you'll be required to see him often. At first the visits start off slow, around 1 per month, but in the end you will probably see your doctor every week.

Stock up on some good books because you'll have plenty of time for reading while sitting in the doctor's waiting room until your little one arrives. Below is a play by play of the typical doctor's visits that most OBGYNs require. It's really not as bad as it sounds, because let's face it, in the next nine months you're going to be so obsessed with your growing belly you won't even notice where you are half the time. Even doctor visits will be fun when you're bonding with your blossoming fetus.

First Visit
First thing your doc will want to do is give you a pregnancy test. Once confirmed, he'll talk with you about the do's and don'ts of pregnancy. Things like: don't smoke, don't drink alcohol, stay away from drugs...get plenty of rest, drink water, take prenatal vitamins and on and on. Then you'll get a full examination with blood work, urine samples and you'll be grilled about your medical history. At the end of the visit the doctor will finally tell you your baby's due date, so you can mark that special day on your calendar and tell all your friends.

Visit #2
The second visit is pretty straight forward with a weigh in and standard urine and blood pressure check. The doc will also check to make sure you don't have any unusual swelling in your appendages. Then it's your turn to ask lots of questions, so make sure to prepare a list.

Visit #3
This visit is the fun one where you'll get to hear your little angel's speedy heart beat after getting weighed again and getting your abdomen measured. Doc will also check for swelling.

Visit #4
Once again you'll be at the docs for a short visit to hear the blip, blip, blip of your baby's heart and get your blood pressure checked. He'll also check for swelling.

Visit #5
Get prepared to meet your little speck today when you get an Ultrasound. I call it a speck because that's nicer than calling your little one a bean, which is what your baby will look like on the screen, but at least you'll see his or her heart beating and know everything is going well. The doc will also measure the fetus, check your uterus, check for swelling and have the nurse take your blood pressure.

Visit #6
This will be another standard checkup with the same old tests of your blood pressure, baby's measurements, uterus check, baby's location in the womb, plus check for swelling and the search for the "oh so dreaded" varicose veins.

Visit #7
This visit will include all the same tests as visit #6, plus two extra. One of the new tests is called the Glucose Tolerance Test where your doc will make you drink down a fruit-punch-like concoction then test to see if your body can break down the sugars normally. This is how they test for Gestational Diabetes. (Diabetes that develops only during pregnancy) They'll also test your blood for antibodies and anemia.

Visits During Month 8
From this stage forward you'll have multiple visits per month that will consist of all the regular tests including: blood pressure, check for swelling, uterus and baby measurements and the fun part...listening to your baby's heartbeat.

Visits During Month 9
Now you'll see your doctor once a week till your baby arrives. At those visits your doctor will do many things to see if your body is getting ready to enter the world. This includes: checking the cervix for thinning or opening and checking baby's position to see if your little one is dropping lower into pre-birth position. You'll also get a new test called the Group B Stress Test, ask your doc about that one for more info. You'll also get the standard tests from all the weeks before.

Final Thoughts
During your last 9 months start to get prepared for baby's arrival by setting up the nursery with baby furniture and baby accessories. Make your birthing plan, so your doctors know your desires for that special day. Get a car seat, so your baby has a proper and safe ride home from the hospital. And just remember to breathe, relax, and relish the moment that you get to meet your baby in person for the first time!