when should you have your first prenatal?
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The first prenatal appointment usually takes place in the second month, between week 6 and week 8 of pregnancy. Be sure to call as soon as you suspect you're pregnant and have taken a pregnancy test. Some practitioners will be able to fit you in right away, but others may have waits of several weeks (or longer).
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If you did not meet with your health care provider before you were pregnant, your first prenatal visit will generally be around 8 weeks after your LMP (last menstrual period). If this applies to you, you should schedule a prenatal visit as soon as you know you are pregnant!
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Because so much of a baby's development happens during the early weeks of pregnancy, it's important to start taking prenatal vitamins before you start trying to get pregnant (three months is a good rule of thumb). That way, you can ensure you're giving your body (and your baby!)
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One of the most exciting pregnancy milestones is hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time. If you are at least eight or nine weeks along at your first prenatal visit, your doctor or midwife may use a fetal Doppler (or a fetal Doppler stethoscope) to pick up the sound of your baby's heart beating.
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Taking a Prenatal Vitamin When You're Not Pregnant A good rule to shoot for is three months ahead of conception, so that you're already taking a prenatal vitamin during the early weeks of pregnancy (before you might even know that you're pregnant).
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If you don't have a first trimester pregnancy screening, your first ultrasound will typically be done between 18 and 20 weeks.
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Your first ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, may take place when you're around 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. However, some doctors only conduct this exam if you have certain high-risk pregnancy conditions. These include bleeding, abdominal pain, and history of birth defects or miscarriage.
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The HSE states that ideally you should see your doctor before you are 12 weeks pregnant. Most women will generally go around the seven-week mark. If you are eager, you can go earlier than this to have your pregnancy confirmed, however you will probably be charged for this visit unless you are a medical card holder.
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Many providers schedule the first prenatal appointment sometime between six and nine weeks after your last period. If you feel a great deal of fear about the possibility of miscarrying, you may want to wait until after this visit to start gathering your baby items.
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The takeaway. If you're thinking seriously about becoming pregnant in the next few months, starting a prenatal vitamin should be at the top of your preconception to-do list. If you're already pregnant, begin taking one ASAP. It will help your baby grow strong and healthy (and help you stay strong and healthy, too!).
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Ideally, you'll begin taking extra folic acid at least 3 months before you become pregnant. Iron supports the development of the placenta and fetus.
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When to start taking prenatal vitamins Because so much of a baby's development happens during the early weeks of pregnancy, it's important to start taking [prenatal vitamins](https://ritual.com/products/essential-prenatal-multivitamin) before you start trying to get pregnant (__three months is a good rule of thumb__).
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Yep, that's a week or two before you even get pregnant. We know it sounds totally weird, but it's more accurate for doctors to estimate a due date this way. So if you think you conceived about two weeks ago, you're probably at least four weeks pregnant—maybe even five.
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As soon as you know you're pregnant, call your doctor and schedule in your first prenatal (or antenatal) appointment. Most women like to make an appointment fairly soon after they find out they're pregnant. If this is your first pregnancy, it's likely you'll want to see a doctor straight away.
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You should start to feel your baby move between around 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first baby, you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks. If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife.
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Around 12 weeks into your pregnancy, you've nearly reached the end of the first trimester, and your obstetrician will use an ultrasound device known as a fetal Doppler to check for your baby's heartbeat. Hearing the heartbeat for the first time is, in a word, thrilling.
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Because so much of a baby's development happens during the early weeks of pregnancy, it's important to start taking prenatal vitamins before you start trying to get pregnant—three months is a good rule of thumb.