OB Appointment Weeks 9 - 12

This appointment will be much shorter than your first prenatal appointment and will establish the standard set of tests and checkups you will have at virtually every appointment from now on. Your doctor or midwife will examine your abdomen to feel the top of your uterus; measure the size and height of your uterus; take your weight and blood pressure; test your urine for sugar, protein, and signs of infection; examine your extremities for swelling or fluid retention; and check your hemoglobin and hematocrit for anemia. If having blood drawn made you squeamish before getting pregnant, you may be completely desensitized by the time you deliver!

You may have a few new pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, itchy skin, and heartburn or indigestion since your first appointment so make sure to discuss these with your doctor or midwife. He or she may discuss the upcoming window of opportunity for tests such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and prenatal screening for genetic problems based on your medical/family history. Your doctor or midwife will explain how each test is done, what it is used for, and any risks to you or your baby. If there is a reason for you to have a chorionic villus sampling performed, it is usually done before the end of your first trimester.