Baby on the way? Get ready for regular appointments. Checkups range from ultrasounds to meetings with your health care provider, and there are also a number of tests for parents-to-be.
Work and other obligations can make it challenging to fit everything into your schedule. Just how many appointments do average pregnant women have to go to?
Typically, pregnant women see their primary care provider every four to five weeks from early pregnancy until their 30th week. Once you’re in your third trimester, visits are then scheduled every two to three weeks until the 36th week of pregnancy. During the last month of pregnancy, most women come to see their doctor or midwife every week until birth.
Rebecca Geddes, a midwife at Malachite Midwives in Kelowna says that your appointment schedule may also depend on your situation. “If you want to schedule appointments more or less frequently, talk to your care provider about your individual circumstances,” she says.
The first few visits and your final postpartum meeting are about an hour, and your regular appointments usually last 30 minutes. Various topics are reviewed when you see your care provider including going over your upcoming or current labs and ultrasounds. You will also likely get your blood pressure and weight measured, and depending on what week you’re at, you might even get to hear baby’s heartbeat with a doppler or fetoscope. This is also a great time to ask questions.
Feeling anxious about your appointment? Ask your doctor or midwife to see if your husband, partner, family member or friend can come along. “Members of your family and/or your support network are always welcome to join you for visits at our clinic,” says Geddes. “We hope to help you and those around you become engaged in the process and discovery of pregnancy and birth.”
In addition to regular appointments with your primary care provider, you will also have to get some bloodwork done. Here in the Central Okanagan, if you plan on going to Valley Medical Laboratories, the majority of the testing is first come first serve. The busiest times are early in the morning, so if your test and schedule permits, you might want to try a little bit later in the day to avoid possible long wait times.
Something to keep in mind is that some of the lab tests do require fasting for up to 14 hours, so make sure you check with your midwife or doctor about whether or not this will be required. Remember that just plain water is allowed if you are required to fast, and even coffee or tea is not permitted. You also have to refrain from chewing gum and smoking during your fasting.
We invite pregnancy experts and other moms-to-be to join in on the conversation! Reach out if you have topic suggestions for this column on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or email me at KelownaNow.
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