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For many people, their pregnancy feels more “real” after their first prenatal visit. You meet the provider who will care for you and your baby throughout your pregnancy, and you also get to hear your baby’s heartbeat. It’s exciting!

The American College of Gynecologists recommends that your first ob-gyn visit occur within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

You should expect your first pregnancy appointment to last 45 minutes to an hour. Your health care provider will perform several tests and exams. They’ll also ask about your health, previous pregnancies, and any challenges you may face in your pregnancy.

What Happens at the First Prenatal Visit

Your first ob-gyn visit when pregnant will include many questions from your provider, but it’s also a chance for you to get information yourself. Here’s what you can expect.

A complete review of your health and overall needs

Your provider will also ask about your physical and mental health, financial needs, and social support system. You’ll likely fill out a questionnaire and discuss it with your provider.

Your doctor will ask about:

• Any past miscarriages, abortions, and births.
• Medicines and supplements you currently take.
• Relationship concerns you may have. Women face a greater risk of intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
• Your financial situation, especially as it relates to your ability to afford healthy food and access health care.
• Your health history, including previous and current diagnoses, and past surgeries.
• Your mental health, including struggles with depression, substance use, anxiety, or relationship challenges.
• The first day of your last menstrual period, so they can determine your due date.

Try to answer as honestly as you can. Your doctor or midwife won’t judge you. Instead, your responses will help them better support you during your pregnancy and the postpartum period.

If you have mental or physical health concerns, your provider can schedule frequent visits to check in with you more often throughout your pregnancy. If you face mental health challenges, they can connect you with community resources.

Education about your pregnancy

Your prenatal provider will provide information and resources. For example, they’ll offer advice about diet and exercise and explain what symptoms and changes to expect in early pregnancy. They’ll also share info on warning signs to watch for and what to do if you have concerning symptoms.

Your provider may also share details about what you can expect at later visits. For instance, they may describe screening and testing options to assess the health of the fetus.

Blood and urine tests

At the first visit, your doctor will order blood tests to check your iron levels, your blood type, and signs of infection. By catching problems early, your provider can keep you safe throughout your pregnancy.

First-visit tests also typically involve a urine sample to check for urinary tract or sexually transmitted infections, as well as to assess your glucose levels.

A physical assessment, including a pelvic exam

Your provider will measure your blood pressure, height, and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI). They’ll continue to check your weight at later visits to ensure you’re not gaining too much or too little weight.

Finally, your provider will measure your belly and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. You’ll hear it, too.

In many cases, prenatal visits include a pelvic exam. Wearing sterile gloves, the doctor will insert one hand in your vagina and press on your abdomen with the other hand. This allows them to assess the size of your uterus and check the reproductive organs for any cysts or growths.

If you’re due for a Pap smear (which tests cells from the cervix for cancer or precancerous signs), your doctor can do this test during the pelvic exam. Your doctor will also collect samples to test for sexually transmitted infections, which can harm a fetus if left untreated.

An ultrasound (in some cases)

Most people don’t have an ultrasound at their first prenatal visit. However, your provider might send you for an ultrasound if you have an irregular cycle and you’re not sure when you got pregnant. You may also need an ultrasound if you’re having symptoms like spotting or cramping.

If you do get an ultrasound, and you’re still early in your pregnancy, the fetus may look like a gray oval against the black background of your uterus.

What to Bring to Your First Prenatal Visit

Here’s what to bring to your first prenatal appointment:

• A list of questions — Focus on questions about early pregnancy. You can discuss later pregnancy and birth at future visits. Of course, if you’re anxious about something, you don’t need to wait to discuss it.
• A list of medications and supplements you take — Your provider will review this list to make sure everything is safe to take during pregnancy. Make sure you include over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
• The first day of your last menstrual period — This information helps your provider determine your due date. If you’re not sure of the exact date, a rough estimate is fine.
• Your medical history — Write down dates and details about past surgeries, pregnancies, and current or past health problems so you don’t forget anything.
• Your prenatal vitamin — You should take a prenatal vitamin, including 600 micrograms of folic acid. You should start this one month before pregnancy (if your pregnancy is planned) or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Your provider can verify that your prenatal vitamin has the vitamins and minerals you need and possibly prescribe one covered by insurance.
• Your vaccination records — Vaccinations protect you and your growing baby from infection, so your provider will want to make sure you’re up to date.