First Trimester (weeks 1 through 12)

Having a healthy baby begins with a healthy pregnancy. Make sure you're taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid in it. Folic acid helps with your baby's healthy brain development. Additional folic acid is recommended for a multiple birth pregnancy.

Call if you experience:

• Significant bleeding
• Moderate to Severe abdominal pain
• Urinating only small amounts of liquid or urine that's dark in color
• Rapid weight gain, or not enough weight gain
• Severe dizziness
• Vomiting or Diarrhea for more than 12 hours
• Severe Headache
• Pain or burning during urination (this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection)

Important Reminder: The first trimester is the most critical time for the health and development of your baby. Therefore, it is very important that you eliminate the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products in any form. Also, places where you may be exposed to second-hand smoke should be avoided and caffeine intake should be limited.

Safe Medications During Pregnancy

Your OB Visits

Please note that every patient and pregnancy is unique and special. Therefore, some items may vary per appointment.

Pregnancy Confirmation (6 to 10 weeks)

Don't be surprised! Your first prenatal visits are very important and may take a considerable amount of time depending on your medical history. The confirmation visit typically occurs between 6 and 10 weeks gestation. Your healthcare team will collect as much information as possible about you and your body in order to track the changes that will occur. You will likely have a dating ultrasound, standard prenatal labs, and optional genetic screening labs.

Visit 1 - New OB Visit (10 to 12 weeks)

Your visit will include a pap smear, HIV and STD testing, a urinalysis, a pelvic exam, and blood tests, if not previously performed If you have any questions about tests you need, miscarriage, vitamins, sex, travel, exercise or nutrition be sure to ask your midwife or physician.

First Trimester Screen/NT-Optional (11 weeks, 4 days - 13 weeks, 6 days)

This testing is not performed at our office. You will be referred to one of two locations in Charlottesville.

For more information, see Pregnancy Labs & Screening.

Common Discomforts

You may notice you need to urinate more often.

Your breasts become fuller and the area around your nipples becomes darker, your breasts may become tender.

You may feel tired easily and may have morning sickness or nausea or vomiting may happen any time during the day.

You may experience constipation & indigestion as your intestines try to absorb more nutrients and water.

Cramping and pelvic pressure may feel like menstrual cramps; if the pain is moderate to severe, call us.

Things You Can Do

Take your prenatal vitamin every day. If you are nauseated, take it at night.

Eat small frequent meals, try to eat a balanced diet. Even if you are not hungry eat small bits every few hours.

Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed, wait 10 minutes then move slowly.

For nausea try ginger ale, ginger cookies, popsicles, Vitamin B-6 50 mg. 2 times a day. Mix water and juice & take small sips.

Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.

Try to rest as much as possible; you may find you are more tired than usual.

Try to exercise a little by walking at a relaxed pace.

Your Baby

Month 1 - The placenta (the organ that nourishes your baby) begins to form. The heart and lungs begin to develop. The baby is about 1/4 inch long by the end of month 1.

Month 2 - All of your baby's organs form. A face, fingers, toes, ears, and eyes appear. At the end of the month, your baby is about an inch long.

Month 3 - Your baby can open and close its fists and mouth. The sexual organs begin to form. Your baby is now about four inches long.