What to Expect at Your First Prenatal Visit

 (and When to Schedule It!)

Finding out you’re pregnant is filled with excitement, anticipation, and—naturally—a long list of questions. One of the very first things on your mind is likely: "When should I make my first appointment?"

If you're eager to get started, you are not alone! We love welcoming new and returning families into care. However, when it comes to scheduling your first official visit, timing is everything.

Here is a guide on how we structure early care, when to book, and why waiting just a few weeks for your first full visit offers the best experience for you and your baby.

Step 1: Lock In Your Spot Early

If you are worried about our schedule filling up before you are accepted into care, please rest assured: repeat clients are prioritized, but new client spots are held as soon as you begin the process.

Once you have reserved your initial appointment online and completed your intake history on our client care portal, we hold your estimated due date on our calendar.

Pro Tip: Go ahead and book your initial appointment online as soon as you get a positive test, but select a date when you will be around 12 weeks pregnant. This secures your place in our practice while keeping your clinical timeline right on track.

Step 2: Knowing When an Early Visit Makes Sense

While we generally target the 12-week mark for your first full clinical visit, there are times when coming in earlier is helpful:

• Uncertain Dates or Irregular Cycles: If your cycles are irregular, your last period was unusual, or recent stress/lifestyle changes have thrown off your tracking, your due date might not match your last menstrual period (LMP). In these cases, seeing us early allows us to order a dating ultrasound.

• Free Local Resources: If you’d like a free dating scan prior to your first official visit (and aren't experiencing spotting or complications), we often recommend visiting the Piedmont Women’s Center. https://piedmontwomenscenter.org/pregnancy-services/free-ultrasound-testing/

• Early Genetic Screening: If your dates are precise and you are interested in checking carrier status, aneuploidy, or baby's gender, screening can be done as early as 9 weeks.

Note: While early lab testing is exciting, false positives—though rare—can happen early on. Waiting until 12 weeks reduces unnecessary stress and ensures the most reliable results.

What Happens at Your 12-Week Appointment?

Your first visit is intentionally unhurried. We set aside 60 to 90 minutes so we can build a strong foundation for your care. During this appointment, we will:

1. Gather Information & Labs: We’ll run standard initial prenatal panels, including blood type, CBC, and serology. (Please try to schedule morning appointments so the lab can pick up your samples the same day!)

2. Review Your Care Options: We will discuss what it means to work with a midwife, qualifications for out-of-hospital birth, and your overall health, including nutrition and prenatal supplements.

3. Build Your Personalized Plan: Together, we’ll outline your preferences for ultrasounds, childbirth classes, and prenatal testing.

4. Set You Up on the Client Portal: You’ll learn how to navigate our membership portal to access educational resources, view records, and message us directly.

Continuous, One-on-One Care From Day One

Unlike high-volume practices where you might see a different provider every visit, all of your prenatal appointments are directly with midwife Sandy Glenn, LM MBC. While student midwives or birth nurses may assist during labor, your primary care is intentionally designed as dedicated, one-on-one midwifery care.

Beyond your standard 30-minute follow-ups, we also host a dedicated 60-minute Birth Planning appointment at approximately 37 weeks to review your birth preferences in detail as you prepare to meet your baby.

Ready to Reserve Your Due Date?

You don't have to wait to get on our schedule! Head over to our online booking tool today, complete your portal intake, and pick a date near your 12-week mark. We can't wait to walk this journey with you.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Is 12 weeks really standard for a first prenatal visit?**

Yes! Most maternity providers (both midwives and OBs) schedule the first full clinical visit between 8 and 12 weeks. Before this time, standard tests are less definitive, and ultrasounds are less precise unless there is a specific medical reason.

**Q: What should I do right now while I wait for my appointment?**

Start taking a daily food-based prenatal vitamin, stay well-hydrated, and avoid alcohol, smoking, and high-mercury seafood.

**Q: Can I bring my partner or children to my 12-week visit?**

Absolutely! We welcome family involvement. Your first visit is a great opportunity for your partner to ask questions and participate in your birth care plan.

**Q: When should I call before my 12-week visit?**

Please contact us right away if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, severe lower abdominal pain, severe dizziness, or nausea so extreme that you cannot keep fluids down.