How often to visit a gynecologist during pregnancy

A visit to a gynecologist during pregnancy is mandatory because it helps to rule out possible diseases in the expectant mother and fetal abnormalities. The first visit to the doctor should be made as soon as there is suspicion of pregnancy, and then the frequency of visits will be determined by the doctor himself, depending on medical indications. It should be noted that in addition you will need to visit other specialists, as well as undergo certain examinations.

Consultation with a gynecologist during pregnancy is mandatory from the first weeks. In the normal course of pregnancy, during the entire period of pregnancy, you should visit the doctor at least 7 times. Frequency is determined by the overall condition of the expectant mother and the presence of any abnormalities.

Obligatory is not only a consultation, but also the passage of routine examinations. Also need to undergo several ultrasound at different periods of pregnancy. At the first appointment, the attending physician examines the woman to confirm the fact of pregnancy.

Peculiarities of the first examination

At the first visit to the gynecologist, the fact of pregnancy is confirmed. An ultrasound of the pelvic organs may also be performed for this purpose. The doctor conducts an interview, finds out the presence of complaints, collects somatic and gynecological history. His list includes:

• information about heredity;
• information about health status;
• past diseases;
• past medical manipulations;
• Menstrual age;
• gynecological diseases;
• Information about previous pregnancies.

It is also mandatory to fill out a medical card. Consultation with a gynecologist during pregnancy involves giving certain recommendations. These recommendations should be followed without fail. Additionally, laboratory and instrumental studies are assigned.

When to go

Before the first visit to the gynecologist, it is worth noting in the women’s calendar the days when menstruation began and lasted. If the cycle is irregular, it is also worth noting. Many specialists are convinced that the critical days are the most dangerous and it is not worth having a gynecological exam in them. With this in mind, the optimal time for the first visit is considered the 8th week from the 1st day of the last menstrual period. There is one important condition: the expectant mother should not be worried about anything, and should not be noticeable any suspicious discharge.

Tips for preparation

Preparation for a visit to the gynecologist does not involve any special actions. Moreover, it does not differ from the preparation for examinations under normal circumstances. You only need to adhere to the following recommendations:

• One day before the visit to the doctor, avoid sexual intercourse;
• In the evening (ideally a few hours before) before the appointment, take a shower;
• Wear comfortable cotton underwear that can be easily and quickly removed;
• You do not have to depilate the bikini area, as it does not interfere with the examination.

The examination itself takes up to 5 minutes. The main focus of the attending physician during the first visit is to gather information on the anamnesis and to determine the mother-to-be’s condition and the fetus’ development.

What additional doctors do you need to see?

In addition to a gynecologist, you have to be examined by specialists. For convenience, the table shows a list of doctors and the frequency of visits.

Necessary tests and measurements at the first appointment

Examinations during pregnancy, includes not only visits to the gynecologist for examinations, but also the ultrasound and certain laboratory tests. All of this allows you to assess the health of the woman, how the pregnancy proceeds and how the fetus develops. You can determine the general well-being of the woman in labor at the initial consultation.

During the period of childbirth, the body is influenced by many hormones. Among them, a special role will be played by such hormones:

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• HCG. It is formed only during pregnancy, and its level rises significantly during the first trimester. This hormone allows you to determine the gestational age and monitor its progress. It is also designed to exclude ectopic pregnancy and to establish a multiple pregnancy;
• Estrogens. A group of hormones for the production of which the ovaries and placenta are responsible. They directly determine how the pregnancy will proceed;
• Progesterone. A hormone whose function is to prepare the walls of the uterine cavity for the attachment of a fertilized egg.

The first trimester, namely up to the 12th week of pregnancy, is the most important for the development of the fetus. It is during this period that organs and systems are formed. During this period of pregnancy, the following tests are recommended:

• general blood and urine analysis;
• Glucose test;
• Biochemical blood test;
• blood for ferritin;
• for blood clotting.

In addition, the blood group and Rh factor of the woman in labor are determined (this plays an important role in planning labor activity). Traditionally, the uterine microflora is examined, and a cytological scrape is performed.

The list of necessary tests also includes a blood test to rule out the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, before visiting a gynecologist, you must take a test to determine the level of thyroid hormones, as well as to identify possible malformations.

Ultrasound and a consultation with a diagnostician are aimed at determining the presence of the pregnancy itself, the number of fetuses, fetal heart activity, features of the structure of the uterus.

Recommendations for regular visits to the doctor

How often to visit a gynecologist during pregnancy is determined on an individual basis, depending on medical indications. As a rule, it should be done at least 7 times during the period of childbirth. In the first trimester, a visit to the gynecologist is usually scheduled once every 4 weeks. At each visit, we find out your complaints, examine your respiratory organs, blood circulation, digestion, mammary glands, and weigh your weight.

Additionally, a clinical-laboratory examination is prescribed. In the second trimester, the frequency of visits to the gynecologist is reduced to once every three weeks. At each consultation, the complaints will be elucidated, analyses will be made and a general examination will be carried out.

Closer to the third trimester, you should visit the doctor once every two weeks. During this period, due attention is paid not only to the initial examination, but also to determine the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the uterine floor, uterine tonus. Palpation of the fetus is mandatory, the fetal heartbeat is analyzed with a stethoscope.

Each expectant mother should remember that visiting a gynecologist during pregnancy is a must. This helps to prevent all sorts of abnormalities in both the expectant mother and her baby.

What does the frequency of visits to the doctor depend on?

The frequency of gynecologist observation for the entire period of pregnancy should be at least 7 times, ideally about 10-12 times. After the first examination in 7-10 days you should come with all the necessary tests, the conclusion of the therapist and other specialists. Occasionally, the timing of the pass increases. Further appointments for pregnancy visits to the gynecologist by weeks.

Until the 28th week, you need to visit the doctor once a month, after that period twice a month. Once 37 weeks, go to the doctor every 7-10 days. If any abnormalities are detected, visits to the gynecologist will be assigned more often.

Required tests, measurements, examinations by week

Depending on the week of pregnancy, the necessary tests, measurements and frequency of visits to the gynecologist vary. To help you navigate through all this, it is worth using this table.

Thus, it is worth remembering that during pregnancy, examinations are not limited to an examination by the attending physician. Additionally required to undergo a number of studies, take all the necessary tests and undergo an ultrasound. This will completely rule out all sorts of pathology, both the expectant mother and her baby.

Pregnancy is a very sensitive period for every woman. It is not uncommon for expectant mothers to worry before their first doctor’s examination, because that is when the pregnancy is confirmed. In order to prepare for the examination, it is worth adhering to certain recommendations. This also applies to all examinations and tests prescribed not only by the gynecologist, but also by other specialists.