Medical Check-Ups for a Pregnant Woman

There was a time when women would not even go through any kind of medical checkup during their pregnancy. However, such a thing is unheard of these days. Today, when a lady is pregnant, the entire period is closely monitored and covered with routine checkups. In case you are curious about this process, this small guide can come handy especially when you are expecting a kid.

The long 9 months of pregnancy may be highly stressful for any pregnant woman. People keep worrying about their unborn babies. So, there is little wonder why people would not shirk meeting a midwife or going to a good clinic regularly. These are qualified people who can tell you the health, sex, and status of your unborn babies.

The first 2 or 3 visits for any pregnant women will comprise of blood test, noting down their history and undergoing scans. Subsequently, the doctor may check whether their overall health is okay or not, urine and blood pressure check and examination of their abdomens. When the pregnancy is about to end, the gynecologist will meet the pregnant woman and discuss how to prepare for infant feeding and childbirth.

The first consultation

Once the initial euphoria and excitement over the new pregnancy have ebbed, the first thing you should do is to meet your physician or midwife as early as possible. You should ideally have your first checkup within your 12 ^th week of pregnancy. The appointment could be a lengthy one as your doctor could ask you plenty of questions. They will also offer you a lot of useful information. It is good for you as you will get an opportunity to discuss your pregnancy for a long duration.

In fact, your physician could calculate the date on which you conceived and ask about your medical history and overall health. They may also ask about the medical history of your close family members so as to ascertain whether anything may have an impact on your pregnancy and the unborn baby such as genetic conditions and allergies. Your doctor can also give you many handy tips and information on diet changes and relevant lifestyle. You could also undergo an ultrasound scan if the midwife or physician recommends it.

During the visit, the staffs may also measure your blood pressure, height, and weight. Certain blood tests will also enable the doctor o find out your blood group, iron levels and Rhesus status (Could be positive or negative), status of German measles, and rubella. You can be also screened for conditions such as hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV.

Regular checkups during pregnancy

Once you are done with the first big appointment, your gynecologist will see you every 4 to 6 weeks until you are close to the end of the pregnancy period. However, the number of these appointments may not be same for all pregnant women. For instance, a first-time pregnant woman may have to meet a doctor more often. Eventually, it is our gynecologist who will determine how frequently you need to visit the clinic.

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