Is It Normal to Wait Until 12 Weeks for Your First Prenatal Visit?

If you have just found out you are pregnant, you are probably eager to start prenatal care! That first visit with your midwife makes it feel so real!

So you call your midwife, only to be told that they want you to wait until around 10 to 12 weeks for your first appointment.

This can feel like a long time to wait, but the good news is that for pregnant folks who are low risk and do not have a history of repeated miscarriage, waiting until around 12 weeks for your first appointment is normal.

Why wait until 10 to 12 weeks? Listening to your baby’s heart tones is something you can expect at each prenatal visit. Before 10 weeks, that can be difficult due to the baby's size.

If you have found out about your pregnancy very early on, this may leave you feeling puzzled, and looking for guidance. You’ve likely heard friends and family talk about what to or not to eat, how to or not to exercise, and a whole list of other woes.

Take a deep breath! You likely don't need to make any drastic changes to your routine. With just a few small adjustments here and there, you and your growing baby will thrive. 

Food in the First Trimester

Many new pregnant parents wonder if they need to adjust their diet now that they are eating for two. While being more aware of your diet is great, and omitting alcohol is an established best practice, don’t fall prey to the misconception that pregnant people need to follow a strict diet or omit a ton of foods. You don’t even need to start “eating for two” (meaning adding extra calories to your diet) until your 2nd trimester!

If this pregnancy has pushed you to seek a healthier diet, that’s wonderful. The list of items to omit from your diet is pretty short. Below is a short guide for navigating the biggest causes of dietary concern.

• Seafood: You can eat seafood, but it is best to not eat it raw or consume species that have higher mercury levels like shark, bigeye tuna (includes canned tuna), mackerel and swordfish. Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which is very beneficial for you and your baby’s health. Some great options are salmon, sardines, cod, shrimp, scallops, and crab.

• Dairy: Dairy products are safe to consume throughout pregnancy. The caution usually applies to consuming dairy that has not been pasteurized. Most of the dairy you find in the US is pasteurized, but it is a good idea to keep it in mind if you take a farm tour and find yourself being handed a warm glass of freshly expressed goat milk.
  

• Caffeine: As for that beloved cup of coffee, caffeine is safe during pregnancy. However, this is the time to make a switch from having more than a few cups a day, to 1 or 2 instead. It is also a good idea to consider how you like your coffee. Coffee shops can add an alarming amount of sugar to those yummy fraps and mochas. If pregnancy has sparked you to make healthier diet changes, monitoring sugar intake is a great way to start.
  

• Processed Foods: It is recommended to limit processed foods, focusing instead on nutrient rich whole foods like green leafy vegetables, beans, dark colored fruit, eggs, almonds, and sweet potatoes.
  

If you are looking for more resources about health food habits during pregnancy, check out the book Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols.

Exercise

Exercise and regular movement is recommended during pregnancy. If you are a long distance runner, no need to hang up those running shoes. It is typically safe to assume you can keep your current exercise routine unless a medical professional says otherwise. On the other hand, if the longest you have run is the mile test in school, now is not the time to start training for a marathon. Light to moderate intensity exercise is great, but be cautious about starting new routines outside of what you are used to that without first talking with your midwife. 

Morning sickness 

Have you noticed your sense of smell has already increased? Maybe your partner's favorite food is suddenly not sitting well with you. You are not alone! Your sense of smell can increase as soon as you become pregnant. Morning sickness can also start as early as 5 weeks. Luckily, for most people it does seem to pass by week 12.

Here are a few tips and tricks for keeping morning sickness manageable:

• Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day

• Snack on something light like crackers or a granola bar as soon as you wake up, even before you get out of bed

• Sip herbal teas that have a calming effect on your tummy

• Try sucking on ginger lozenges

Intimacy

Sex in early pregnancy is safe for almost everyone. The cervix and uterus provides create a barrier to protect your growing baby. For more information about sex during pregnancy click here.

As your body changes with your pregnancy, it is normal for your emotions and feelings about intimacy to also change. Keeping an open line of communication with your partner can help you feel at ease and allow your relationship to navigate this new journey together. 

Any Other Questions?

Keep a list of questions to go over with your midwife at your first appointment! We can’t wait to care for you and your growing family.