By Brent McNutt
You are so sure that the stork would visit you. After asking your office mates and friends about an obstetrician you finally made that important appointment.
It would be best to bring your husband to every pre-natal visit so that he would know how to care for you and your baby. After all it is both your baby so you are both given the task to be aware on how to go about the steps of pregnancy, childbirth and the post partum period.
What would you expect during your very first visit to an Obstetrician (OB)? When you reach the OB's clinic the receptionist will make a new record for you where she records the details of your identification.
If the receptionist happens to be a nurse, she begins a preliminary interview of your medical history. She would ask you your last menstrual period and calculate your expected date. She will then proceed to ask you about any symptoms you are experiencing now, medical conditions you have experienced in your past such as illnesses, hospitalizations, allergies, accidents and the like. Additionally, your menstrual history would be important: when was your menarche, duration and regularity of menses, first sexual encounter, contraception and the like. After which she will ask you some more of any important illnesses especially degenerative diseases in your family. Did your parents, uncles or aunts, or grandparents have diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease or cancer?
When your OB finally sees you, he/she reviews the preliminary information gathered by the receptionist like your expected date of confinement or EDC. Around this date is the time you are expected to give birth if your baby decides to be born. Your OB would then proceed to give you a cursory examination starting from your head to your toes, poking at your eyes and throat, hearing your lungs and heart, and inspecting your feet. And then makes you lie down on the examining table. The OB carefully inspects you abdomen, palpates for the tiny baby's head and body parts, determines the baby's position, and intently listens to beating of the tiny heart.
During the consultation, you can ask your OB any question such as your diet or any clarifications on any superstitions you may have believed in. That way you may not be harming your baby and yourself unconsciously. Your OB will give you advices regarding what to expect. You have to tell her any symptoms you are experiencing that can be physical, emotional or psychological.
After the physical and laboratory examinations your OB would make the diagnosis, informs you about it then proceeds to prescribe your medications. Usually you are to take iron supplements together with folic acid. Tetanus toxoid vaccination would be given during the fourth or fifth month of your pregnancy. Another dose would be given after a month's interval. He/she then dispenses advice on your diet, activity and hygiene. The OB will advise you on symptoms that are dangerous which you would need to observe carefully and to come back or call him/her immediately.
Before you leave, your OB hands you a pre-natal book and informs you of your next pre-natal visit. The pre-natal book contains instructions which are reminders for your compliance. Together with the hubby you leave your OB's clinic and you look forward to coming back for your follow up check up until it is time for baby to be born.
Your first visit had been comforting, educational and a revelation. Wasn't it?
Brent McNutt enjoys talking about landau uniform and landau nursing shoes and networking with healthcare professionals online.
Source:www.isnare.com |
