When these signs present themselves, the first thing a woman should do during her first trimester of pregnancy is to consult a doctor, preferably an obstetrician (a doctor who specializes in caring for a woman during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth.
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The doctor will do tests to determine whether she is, indeed pregnant. If so, he will then schedule periodic prenatal checkups, prescribing medication when necessary and give her guidance and advice. On the first visit, the doctor will want to know the couple’s medical history particularly that of the woman. He usually asks her about:
- Previous pregnancies – whether they were normal or difficult/high-risk – and if there had been miscarriages or abortions.
- Previous major surgery.
- Medical condition (e.g. problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or allergies).
- Immunization (e.g. German measles and hepatitis B) and diseases (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases.
- Genetic history (e.g., incidence of twins, problems that run in the family). The doctor will then perform a thorough physical checkup, which includes:
- Measuring her height, weight, and the size of the uterus and pelvic area.
- Listening to chest sounds.
- Taking her blood pressure.
- Palpating (feeling) the breasts and abdomen.
- Examining the vagina, cervix (neck of the womb), and uterus.
- The doctor will have her urine and blood tested. The urine tests are needed to detect bladder and kidney infection or damage, and diabetes (if there is a sugar in the urine.)
Certain blood tests help detect anemia, syphilis and immunity to German measles, hepatitis B, and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Other blood tests determine the woman’s blood type (in the event of blood transfusion) and whether she is Rh-positive or negative.
The date when you baby is due may be calculated fairly accurately based on the first day of your menstrual period (See Chart on When is Baby Due?)
The risk of miscarriage is highest in the first trimester of pregnancy. The doctor should be consulted in cases of:
- Abdominal pain.
- Unusual cramps
- Bleeding
- Vaginal discharge
- A fever over 38 degrees Celsius, which may be a sign of infection.
It is also important to consult the doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy and childbirth.
