How to Begin the New Year in a Healthy Way
Healthy living should be a goal we all strive for, not just throughout the holiday season but 365 days out of the year.
When should I make my first appointment? Ideally, we want to see you for your first appointment when you are about 8-10 weeks along. Most people find out they are pregnant when they are around 6 weeks along, or right after they miss their period, so it is not too long after that!
Who do I see? At True Harmony, you would make your first appointment with either Dr. Brass, one of our certified nurse midwives (Avery, Kassi, or Robin), or our physician’s assistant Mary Ann. You will get to meet all of us over the course of your pregnancy - there are plenty of appointments/opportunities to do so!
What happens at this appointment?
We first do a pregnancy test to confirm you are pregnant. For this appointment we request you come in about 30 minutes early to fill out paperwork, which includes questions on your medical/surgical history, pregnancy history, symptoms you are experiencing, and other factors that are important to your pregnancy. You then meet one of our providers and we review your history and answer any questions you have. We go through any symptoms you may be having like nausea, fatigue, or breast tenderness, and talk through ways to cope with those symptoms. We then go through what to expect during the early part of your pregnancy, and give you a pregnancy guide along with a welcome bag that includes lots of information on what to expect. We even give you a gift card to use one of our spa services at some point during your pregnancy! We also do a physical exam just like you would at an annual appointment, and may do a pap smear if you are due for it.
Do I get labs drawn? We usually do blood work at that first appointment right at our office. For most people, we check your blood type, blood count to look for signs of anemia, your thyroid, your hemoglobin A1C (which tells us about your blood sugar over a 3 month period of time), a full STI panel (sexually transmitted infections), a urine dip and culture, and your pregnancy hormone. Additional labs may be ordered depending on your personal history, and will be discussed during your first appointment.
Do I get an ultrasound? We usually do not schedule an ultrasound at the first appointment. This is because the timing of that first ultrasound depends on many things, and we work together based on your personal history, when your last period was, and how far along you are. For many people, that first ultrasound is around 11-12 weeks, but again it may be earlier depending on your personal circumstances.
Schedule your first prenatal appointment today! And if you are pregnant and looking for someone to get prenatal care, but are not quite sure who you want to choose, schedule a meet and greet with one of our True Harmony providers!
