Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor or Midwife at Your First Pregnancy Appointment

Congratulations! If that line on the pregnancy test is correct, you are about to have a baby in the next 9 months or so. If you are anything like me, you have dreamed about this day for a long time, and you want your pregnancy to be a healthy one. Once the initial excitement of the pregnancy wears off, you have some serious planning to do. Inevitably, that planning includes choosing the right doctor, midwife, or care provider and getting the information you need to have a happy, healthy, and successful pregnancy.

The first big step, if you have not already done so, is to choose an obstetrician or midwife you like and trust to see you through the pregnancy. After scheduling your first pregnancy appointment, sit down for a moment with a pen and paper and jot down your questions. While your nurse and doctor will give you some great information during your first visit, sketch out your own questions to ask so that nothing is overlooked.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: What will our appointment schedule be?

Find out at your first appointment when your doctor will be seeing you throughout your pregnancy. Each doctor will have his or her schedule, and how often you are seen may also depend upon the progress of your pregnancy. During my pregnancy, I went for monthly visits starting at 8 weeks. Beginning at 30 weeks, I went for doctor visits every two weeks until my delivery. Your schedule is likely to be similar.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: How long will I typically have to wait in the waiting room for our appointment?

For some people, waiting can be a problem. I used to go to my visits over the lunch hour, so getting in and out quickly was important to me. Other people do not mind waiting as long as they get to spend as much time with their physician as they need to get every question answered.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: How long will our usual appointment take?

Again, each woman will have her preference about how long an appointment should take. During my first pregnancy, I wanted to get in and out of the office quickly for work reasons. During my second pregnancy, I spent more time in the doctor's office asking questions because of certain issues that arose throughout the pregnancy. Just make sure that your doctor spends enough time answering your questions thoroughly.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: What are your business hours?

Find out whether your doctor or midwife is available at times that are convenient for you. Perhaps your midwife is open until 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays, or maybe your doctor's office opens at 7:00 a.m. and you can get in before work. If you are working, finding time to schedule appointments can be difficult, so keep this in mind when you are discussing these hours with your doctor.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: If I have a question after hours, who do I call?

It never fails. As soon as the doctor's office closes, you have a question that has to be answered right away about a medication you were prescribed or a new ache or pain that just started. Find out who you can call after hours and whether you will be sent to an answering service or to a nurse or doctor on call.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: What will happen during a typical appointment?

Know what to expect during your monthly and biweekly visits. Will you get to listen to the baby's heartbeat? Will you be examined? Find out whether you will be expected to bring a urine sample to each visit or whether you should come prepared to give a urine sample. Ask whether you will be having any special tests at the appointments or whether you will be getting test results that you would like your partner to hear also.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Will I have any ultrasounds? When? Where I go for the ultrasound?

Each doctor may also have a preference about whether to perform an early ultrasound or to wait until the 20-week ultrasound. Early ultrasounds can be exciting, but they can also be nerve-wracking. If you are not quite as far along as you thought you were, an early ultrasound might raise needless questions about the viability of the fetus. Early ultrasounds are also intrusive because they are usually performed transvaginally.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: What tests do you recommend that I have during my pregnancy?

In addition to ultrasounds, a pregnant woman also has blood tests, glucose tests, and a myriad of other tests to look forward to. Remember that you can choose what tests you will have performed and what tests you do not want. Just be sure to talk to your doctor about her recommendations and to gather all of the information you need to be informed before making a decision.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Are there any special risks that I should be aware of with this pregnancy?

Most pregnancies go perfectly smoothly, but sometimes complications arise that are surprising and scary. Find out early in your pregnancy whether there are any things you should be on the lookout for, like spotting or cramping, that would need to be evaluated right away.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Should I change my diet?

Some of the most common questions on pregnancy are about diet. Forget about asking people on message boards about what you should and should not eat during your pregnancy. Ask your doctor, and do it at your first visit.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Should I change my exercise routine?

Likewise, ask your doctor about your exercise routine. While pregnancy probably is not the right time to begin a new and strenuous exercise routine, find out what exercise your doctor recommends.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Are there other lifestyle changes that I should be making?

If you engage in specific activities that might pose a risk to your health and your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about them at the first visit. Perhaps you have a prescription for anti-depressants or asthma. Find out whether the prescriptions you are currently taking are safe for the baby, what the risks are of discontinuing or changing your course of treatment, and what your doctor recommends.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: What is your c-section rate?

Ask your doctor what his c-section rate is at your first appointment. If the rate is exceptionally high, find out why.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Will you support my decision to have natural childbirth?

If you are excited about having your baby naturally and without the assistance of drugs, will your doctor support that decision? Conversely, ask your doctor or midwife whether he will support your decision to use pain relief medication during labor.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Will you be my doctor in the delivery room? If not, who will be there with me?

If you are seeing a group of doctors, ask what doctor will be with you in the delivery room. In all likelihood, you will be assigned to the doctor on call at the hospital, who may or may not be the doctor that you saw throughout your pregnancy.

Questions to ask the doctor at the first pregnancy appointment: Do you have any vacations scheduled around my due date? If so, who will be covering for you, and how can I reach her?

Yes, doctors are people too, and sometimes they go on vacation, attend conferences, or have family emergencies. Ask your doctor whether he plans to be in town around your due date or whether he has something else scheduled around the same time.

This list of questions is intended to serve as a guide for your first visit with you obstetrician or midwife. Of course, you are sure to have your own special concerns and questions that you will want to address with your care provider. Keep in mind that you have a choice about your doctor, and if something feels wrong with your relationship, consider looking for a care giver that will be the perfect fit for you.