At what gynecological age to go to the gynecologist: reasons for early treatment

When to go to the gynecologist when pregnant – one of the main questions that bothers a woman who saw two cherished stripes on the test among others. And it is logical and completely understandable, because qualified medical care – in many ways the key to a safe pregnancy. That’s why the first thing a woman who learned that in the near future will become a mother – is to get registered in the antenatal clinic.

In addition to the fact that there are purely physiological reasons associated with the preservation of health of the pregnant woman and baby, for which it is unwise to put off going to the doctor, there are other, which are due to the possibility of obtaining additional benefits after the birth of a child. For example, visiting a gynecologist during pregnancy and registering before 12 weeks will provide a working woman with a similar payment.

When is the first visit to a doctor during pregnancy?

Specialists with many years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology name several reasons in favor of an early visit to a gynecologist during pregnancy. First, they believe it is necessary because of the need to confirm the fact of the pregnancy, which can only be unequivocally confirmed by a comprehensive examination, the results of HCG and ultrasound.

Most gynecologists advise to visit a gynecologist during pregnancy after 2-3 weeks after the next menstrual period. Second, after conception is definitely confirmed, the gynecologist can rule out an ectopic pregnancy by making sure the fetus is correctly located. The specialist will conduct an examination, find out the date of the first day of your last period, probable conception or date of ovulation, if they are known. This will allow you to more accurately determine the timing of your pregnancy and the date of your upcoming delivery.

What else usually goes along with the first visit to the doctor

The initial visit to a gynecologist for the first pregnancy, even at a very young term, usually involves a lot of establishing moments of correct carrying of the baby. The doctor and patient discuss the peculiarities of the day and diet, decide on the optimal daily amount of fluid intake. In addition, the specialist develops a scheme for individual intake of micronutrients and vitamins. This is especially true for the mandatory intake of folic acid, which prevents the risk of birth defects of the fetus.

This vitamin is prescribed if the woman did not take it during the planning and preparation for pregnancy. During the first visit to the gynecologist during pregnancy, the expectant mother and the specialist who will attend her until the baby is born, agree on allowable physical activity, the possibility of flights, travel, determine the plan of visits to the doctor, receiving tests, screenings.

Examination and collection of medical history by a gynecologist

Once the question of the pregnancy term to go to the gynecologist is solved, and the woman is in the office of the obstetrician-gynecologist, in addition to conversations about the planning of pregnancy and the appointment of tests, a general examination awaits her, as well as

• examination of the physique, color of the skin;
• palpation of breasts and thyroid glands;
• measurement of body weight, blood pressure, pelvic measurements;
• gynecological examination.

At the first visit to the gynecologist during pregnancy, a personal card of the pregnant woman and the woman in labor is filed. This important document contains medical history data, including general and gynecological diseases that the expectant mother in childhood and adulthood, as well as information about serious illnesses of her close relatives, and relatives of the father of the child.

What requires close attention

Family medical history is extremely important, diseases such as tuberculosis, mental disorders, diabetes mellitus, hypertension diagnosed in close relatives deserve special attention. When collecting information during the first visit to the gynecologist during pregnancy, the doctor tries to get the fullest possible information about previous infectious diseases, including herpes, toxoplasmosis, rubella, kidney and liver diseases, and CMV.

Obstetric history, as a rule, includes information on past abortions, use and types of contraceptives, number and resolution of pregnancies, peculiarities of menstrual function, presence of complications during delivery and after childbirth.

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Required tests and examinations

The initial visit to the outpatient clinic during pregnancy involves a wide range of examinations, which include comprehensive laboratory tests, including:

• Establishing the Rh factor and blood type;
• testing for hormones;
• collection of blood tests – general, biochemical, syphilis, HIV, glucose, herpes, ferritin, hepatitis B and C, TORCH, TT;
• Urinalysis and smear tests.

In addition, the expectant mother is sent to see the relevant specialists – ENT doctor, internist, dentist, optometrist. If necessary, the patient is consulted by narrow specialists, such as a cardiologist, urologist, and endocrinologist. After the pregnant woman has undergone a complete examination, her belonging to one of the existing groups of dynamic observation – low, medium or high – is determined. Based on the completeness of the information and the results of objective examinations, the doctor makes a plan for prenatal care.

What to bring with you to your first appointment

Going to visit an outpatient clinic for the first time, a woman should have a set of certain documents, as well as properly prepare for a visit to the gynecologist during pregnancy. Among the mandatory – the following documents and their copies in 2 copies – passport (1 page and registration), SNILS, MHI policy.

Documents concerning the health of the woman herself and her family members (also in duplicate) are also appropriate:

• The results of blood tests of the child’s father for HIV and syphilis;
• Fluorography results of the father, as well as family members older than 15 years, with whom the pregnant woman lives;
• If available, the results of a fluorography of the woman before pregnancy.

It is right to have medical reports on previously diagnosed abnormalities, if such have been identified. This will make planning the subsequent management of pregnancy more rational and successful. Socks and shoe covers will be needed for the gynecological exam.

Proper timing of the exam

However, the first visit to a gynecologist during pregnancy and taking preliminary tests does not mean that you do not have to go to the clinic anymore and that the examinations are over for the pregnant woman until the birth of her baby. There are strictly certain terms in which examinations are performed to monitor the condition of the expectant mother and the developing fetus.

These depend on the current trimester and week of pregnancy. After checking in at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy and a complete clinical and laboratory examination, then the calendar of proper examinations is as follows – in the 1st trimester, 11-13 weeks of pregnancy, the first screening is carried out, including ultrasound and biochemical blood tests to detect fetal chromosomal diseases.

Checkups in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters

At the first visit to the gynecologist during pregnancy, the doctor usually prepares a schedule of examinations for the whole period of pregnancy. The schedule includes appointments with the doctor in charge of the pregnancy for

• second screening – 19-21 weeks;
• glucose tolerance test to detect occult diabetes – 23-24 weeks;
• repeat complete clinical-laboratory examinations and repeat consultations with a general practitioner and ophthalmologist; third screening (vascular Doppler measurement and fetal ultrasound) – 30 weeks;
• Fetal cardiotocographic examination – 32 and 38 weeks of pregnancy;
• Bacteriological culture of cervical canal discharge – week 36.

Therefore, it is obvious that the first meeting with the doctor after the onset of pregnancy is the beginning of a long and responsible journey of 9 months, which should be started on time.