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Your First Prenatal VisitYour first prenatal visit is the most thorough. A complete medical history is taken, a physical exam is done, and certain tests and procedures are performed to assess the health of both you and your unborn baby. Your first prenatal visit may include:
The first prenatal visit is also an opportunity to ask any questions or discuss any concerns that you may have about your pregnancy. The First Trimester: What to ExpectA healthy first trimester is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. You may not be showing much on the outside yet, but on the inside, all of the major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming. As the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, several developments take place, including the formation of the:
It is during this first trimester that the fetus is most susceptible to damage from substances, like alcohol, drugs and certain medicines, and illnesses, like rubella (German measles). During the first trimester, your body and your baby’s body are changing rapidly.
Johns Hopkins Hospital Designated as Baby-FriendlyThe Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, has designated The Johns Hopkins Hospital as Baby-Friendly. This designation is given to hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding. The First Trimester: Changes to Your BodyDuring pregnancy, many changes will happen to your body to help nourish and protect your baby. Women experience these changes differently. Some symptoms of pregnancy continue for several weeks or months. Others are only experienced for a short time. Some women experience many symptoms, and other women experience only a few or none at all. The following is a list of changes and symptoms that may happen during the first trimester:
The First Trimester: Fetal DevelopmentThe most dramatic changes and development happen during the first trimester. During the first eight weeks, a fetus is called an embryo. The embryo develops rapidly and by the end of the first trimester, it becomes a fetus that is fully formed, weighing approximately 0.5 to 1 ounce and measuring, on average, 3 to 4 inches in length. First Trimester Fetal Growth and Development BenchmarksThe chart below provides benchmarks for most normal pregnancies. However, each fetus develops differently.
The fetus is most vulnerable during the first 12 weeks. During this period of time, all of the major organs and body systems are forming and can be damaged if the fetus is exposed to drugs, infectious agents, radiation, certain medications, tobacco and toxic substances. Even though the organs and body systems are fully formed by the end of 12 weeks, the fetus cannot survive independently. What blood tests do they do at 8 weeks pregnant?At 6-8 weeks' pregnancy
A full blood examination (FBE) will check for possible iron deficiency and thalassaemia risk. A ferritin level may be included and is more sensitive than the full blood alone to determine reduced iron stores, to make sure you're not at risk of anaemia, which can make you tired and weak.
Which laboratory testing is anticipated on the initial prenatal visit?Your health care provider will suggest blood tests to detect infections such as hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV , the virus that causes AIDS . A urine sample might also be tested for signs of a bladder or urinary tract infection.
What tests are done during first prenatal visit?The most common tests at your first prenatal visit include:. Urine test. Your urine may be checked for protein, glucose (sugar), white blood cells, blood and bacteria.. Bloodwork. ... . Genetic carrier screening. ... . STD tests. ... . Pap smear. ... . A blood sugar test.. What kind of tests are given at prenatal visits?The following screening methods are available during pregnancy:. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test or multiple marker test.. Amniocentesis.. Chorionic villus sampling.. Cell-free fetal DNA testing.. Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (withdrawing a small sample of the fetal blood from the umbilical cord). Ultrasound scan.. |