4 Questions to Ask the Obstetrician at Your First Prenatal Visit

When you discover that you are pregnant, you may find that you have a lot of anxiety about the unknown adventure that awaits you, and you’re probably going to have some questions about what’s to come. Fortunately, your obstetrician can answer a lot of these questions, and they can help put your mind at ease. Here are four questions to ask the obstetrician at your first prenatal visit.

When Is My Due Date?

The first question will of course be about when you can expect your baby. Your obstetrician will help you determine when your due date is. They will first need to know the first day of your last period. Your due date will be 40 weeks from that date. While you likely won’t have your baby on this date—in fact, the vast majority of babies aren’t born exactly on their due date—you can expect to give birth within a few weeks of it.

What Hospital Will I Be Delivering At?

There might be several hospitals in your area. Because of this, you need to ask your obstetrician which hospital you will be delivering at. There’s a good chance that your doctor delivers at more than one hospital, so you may have a few different ones to choose from.

Am I at a Higher Risk?

Some women will be considered high risk. This is common if a woman is 35 years of age or older or has a preexisting medical condition. If you are considered high risk, your doctor may request that you undergo a few tests or come in frequently for ultrasounds. These things are necessary in order to keep both you and your baby safe.

Is There Anything That I Need to Avoid?

Because you are carrying a baby, you might not be able to do everything that you are used to. You need to ask your obstetrician if there’s anything that you need to avoid. This can include things like exercise, eating certain foods, or participating in some activities. Your obstetrician will discuss what you need to avoid throughout your pregnancy to ensure that you have a healthy baby.

Some anxiety about having a baby is normal. Fortunately, you can calm your fears by knowing a little bit more about your pregnancy and what’s to come. If you are about to visit your obstetrician for your first prenatal visit, make sure you ask your doctor the questions mentioned above. By knowing the answers to these questions, it will help calm some of the fears that you are having about your pregnancy.