Title: Prenatal visits: When you'll have them and how to have the best prenatal appointments | BabyCenter
Headings: What to expect at your prenatal visits
What to expect at your prenatal visits
IN THIS ARTICLE
How many prenatal visits will I have?
Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my prenatal visits?
Pregnancy swelling (edema)
What happens during these appointments?
It seems like my prenatal visits are over before they even start. How can I make the most of my appointments?
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Karen Miles

Content: Your practitioner will have other questions as well, which will vary depending on how far along you are and whether there are specific concerns. Your midwife or doctor will also: Check your weight, blood pressure, and urine
Check for swelling
Measure your abdomen
Check the position of your baby
Listen to your baby's heartbeat
Perform other exams and order tests, as appropriate
Give you the appropriate vaccinations
Closely monitor any complications you have or that you develop, and intervene if necessary
Your practitioner may also do a pelvic exam to check for cervical changes near the end of your pregnancy. advertisement | page continues below
At the end of the visit, your practitioner will review the findings with you, explain the normal changes to expect before your next visit and the warning signs to watch for, counsel you about lifestyle issues (such as the importance of good nutrition, oral health, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs), and discuss the pros and cons of optional tests you may want to consider. It seems like my prenatal visits are over before they even start. How can I make the most of my appointments? Many women look forward to their prenatal appointments but are disappointed to find that, with the exception of the first visit, they're in and out of the office in ten minutes. A quick visit is usually a sign that everything is progressing normally. Still, you want to make sure that your concerns are addressed – and that you and your baby are being well taken care of. Here are some things you can do to ensure that your prenatal visits are satisfying: