What to Expect at Prenatal Doctor Visits: The First Trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy spans from conception up to week 13. This is a very crucial time for a developing fetus as they will be growing all of their vital organs and limbs. During this time an unborn baby will be growing at an alarming rate and will be 3.4 inches in length and weigh close to 1.5 ounces. That may not seem like much but that is a huge amount to grow in just 14 weeks.

A pregnant woman can expect to see her doctor every four weeks throughout the entire first trimester. Although surprisingly, many women won't find out they are expecting until they are several weeks in. During every visit the mother-to-be will need to present a urine sample which will be tested for any sign of a urinary tract infection or for sugar or protein, which could mean gestational diabetes or preeclampsia (also characterized by high blood pressure). Mom's blood pressure will be taken and she will be weighed, as well as asked if she has had any swelling, bleeding, or uncommon vaginal discharge, all of which could be caused by nothing or could lead to serious complications. Your doctor will let you know after testing.

Most doctors will schedule an ultrasound anywhere between 6 and 13 weeks to check and make sure that baby is developing well and on time. Your doctor will also use this ultrasound to check for an ectopic pregnancy (when an egg implants itself outside of the uterus; most commonly in the fallopian tubes). At this point, though, a woman shouldn't expect to see any real distinguishing features in her baby, but should actually be more prepared to see a small being that resembles a peanut.

In mothers over 35 years of age or women with past reproductive problems or certain family histories are referred for Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). During this test a bit of tissue is taken from the placenta to obtain a chromosome test. This helps in determining whether the developing baby has any chromosomal defects which could result in Down Syndrome or other birth defects. CVS is performed any time between weeks 9 and 11, which is earlier than the amniocentesis, the second trimester version of the test.