How Much Weight Should I Gain During The Pregnancy? For a healthy woman with “normal” pre-pregnancy weight, a 25-35 pound weight gain is expected. If you are under-weight, you should gain 28-40 pounds, and if you are over-weight, 15-25 pounds. Your provider will help determine if your weight gain is adequate to provide for your growing fetus.

How Long is a Normal Pregnancy? On average, the normal pregnancy is 280 days. These days are divided into equal trimesters. The first trimester extends through the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, the second through weeks 15-28 and the third from 28- 42 weeks.

How Far Along Am I? One of the goals of the first prenatal visit is to calculate how many weeks pregnant you are (gestational age) and to establish an approximate due date. Although the general public uses months to describe how far along the pregnancy is, your health care provider will talk in terms of weeks (weeks from the last menstrual period). Because the gestational age is based off your last period, it is important to know the first day of your last period. If it is unclear when your last period was or if you conceived while on birth control, your doctor may do an ultrasound early in pregnancy (first trimester) to accurately determine the gestational age of the pregnancy.

What Can I Expect on the First Prenatal Visit? There are several goals of the first prenatal visit: 1. To evaluate the health status of the mother and fetus 2. Determine the gestational age of the pregnancy 3. Plan for continued care Your provider will ask you many questions about your health, the health of the father of the baby, and the health of family members. This is used to help identify potential problems that may develop during the pregnancy. You will also get a complete physical exam including a Pap smear. Also, if not already done, your provider will order laboratory studies.

What Happens At Each Follow Up Visit? After the first prenatal visit, each subsequent visit will be scheduled based on your gestational age. Here are some general rules: until you reach 28 weeks you will have appointment every 4 weeks. From 28-36 weeks an appointment will be scheduled every 2 weeks, and from 36 weeks until delivery, weekly. Obviously if you have serious medical conditions, or if a condition develops during pregnancy, your provider may want to see you more frequently. At each visit, the doctor will listen for the heartbeat of the fetus, evaluate the growth of the fetus by measuring your abdomen, check your blood pressure, and follow the changes in your weight. Also, any concerns or physical symptoms that you are experiencing will be addressed.

What Laboratory Tests Will I Have During The Pregnancy? At certain times in your pregnancy, you will be evaluated with lab tests and diagnostic studies to make sure that you and your baby are doing well. Complete Blood Count (CBC): At the time of prenatal registration and again around 24-28 weeks, you will have blood drawn to evaluate for the presence of anemia. Anemia refers to a reduction in the oxygen carrying substance hemoglobin in your blood. If you are anemic, you provider will recommend that you take iron supplementation. Vaginal and Cervical Tests: At your first prenatal visit, vaginal/cervical cultures will be taken to evaluate for infections that may complicate your pregnancy. A urine test will also be done to look for a possible urinary tract infection. Your blood will be tested for syphilis and HIV (with your permission). Glucose Challenge Test: Women at risk for diabetes (prior history of diabetes during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, or excess weight gain during pregnancy) are screened with a glucose challenge test between 24-28 weeks. This test may be done earlier if you have had diabetes during a prior pregnancy. Triple Marker Screen: This is a recommended screening test done between 15-18 weeks. It is used to screen for spinal defects, abdominal wall defects and chromosomal abnormalities (i.e. Down’s Syndrome) in the fetus. If abnormalities are found on this screening blood test, an amniocentesis (inserting a needle into your abdominal wall to withdraw and test the fluid around the fetus) may be offered. Ultrasound: In the second trimester, an ultrasound will be performed to evaluate the body parts of the fetus and to ensure that the fetus is growing appropriately.

Are There Any Lifestyle Modifications I Should Make? Sexual relations: Intercourse is acceptable in a normal, healthy pregnancy. It should be avoided in instances when abortion or pre-term labor threatens a pregnancy. Smoking: Smoking should be avoided during the duration of the pregnancy. Women who smoke during pregnancy have smaller babies, and have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, pre-term delivery, and fetal death.

What Conditions Should I Report To My Doctor? There are certain conditions or symptoms that should be reported to your doctor immediately. These symptoms may be a warning sign of serious illnesses that may occur during pregnancy. The following is a list of some of these symptoms: Vaginal bleeding or spotting Abdominal pain Painful urination Severe or continuous headache Fever or chills Blurry vision or dimness Fluid leaking from the vagina Decreased fetal movement Foul or irritating vaginal discharge Persistent nausea or vomiting