20 Essential Questions for Your First Prenatal Appointment

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m sure you have a ton of unanswered questions to help guide you through this new and exciting journey ahead. The best thing I did as a first time mom, was come to my first prenatal appointment prepared with questions. They typically will answer most without you having to ask, however, there are always a couple that can be missed. The good news is, I’ve made it simple for you! Filter through this list, and write down anything that you may want to ask your doctor. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed at that first appointment, and I’m here to tell you that you’re already doing a great job!

So, grab your notepad and let’s dive into the 20 essential questions you absolutely must ask your doctor at that all-important first prenatal visit. Because when it comes to your baby’s health and your peace of mind, there’s no such thing as too much information!

Wait! Before we get started, be sure to check out my Ultimate Pregnancy Must-Haves blog post to stock up on your essentials!

Let’s get started!

1. Which Foods Should/Shouldn’t I Be Eating?

It’s always good to ask your doctor about which foods to avoid, as well as foods to focus on eating more of. Consulting your OB/GYN or care provider about dietary choices during pregnancy is essential. It’s important to intake nutrient dense foods to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

2. Do I Need to Avoid Certain Skincare Ingredients?

This question was one that didn’t come to my head right away, but I’m happy I did before I decided to try out my new Retinol cream. Surely enough, that was a big no-no! Every Doctor has their own advisements, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Always double check your skincare and those hidden ingredients.

Thankfully, I found an amazing cleanser that was gentle and cleared up my first-trimester break outs! If you regularly see an Esthetician or Dermatologist, be sure to inform them of your pregnancy so they can take their precautions and avoid any invasive skin treatments.

3. Where Do I Go/Who to Call for Emergencies

Along with this question, it’s always important to ask what to look out for that would be considered “abnormal”. In pregnancy, I have always experienced tons of stomach pains and false alarms, so knowing who to call when no one is in office is crucial. Thankfully, All hospitals have doctors on call for emergency situations. If you are in labor or unsure if you’re in labor, the last thing you want to think about is how to get in touch with your provider when it’s too late!

4. Who Can I Contact For Basic Questions?

Know who to contact for general questions or concerns. This question goes hand-in-hand with who to call for emergencies. In pregnancy, you have to practice body awareness 24/7. Self-analyzing is key when differentiating between an emergency and bad gas, lol. Sometimes that gas pain can feel like a serious emergency!

5. Who Will Be Delivering My Baby?

Seems like a given, but actually it’s not! Most doctors can’t promise the attendance of your delivery. Depending on how you have decided to deliver your baby, providers offices typically have a doctor on call to handle the deliveries during after-hours or if your doctor is not in office. This may give you the desire to get to know the other doctors in the practice so you feel comfortable no matter the circumstance.

6. How Much Weight Should I Gain?

Steady weight gain is crucial in pregnancy, but how much is too much? Your Doctor will be able to give you a guideline on what is expected. This can vary from person to person. If you are gaining too much weight or not gaining enough, it can put your pregnancy at risk.

7. What Kind of Exercise Should I Avoid?

If you exercise or want to start exercising, it’s crucial to ask what kinds of exercise are ill-advised. I would also consider asking how often as well! If you have a physically tasking job, be sure to mention this as you may need to tell your boss sooner than later that you are expecting to excuse yourself from anything that could be considered dangerous.

8. When Can I Find Out the Gender?

I know most of you are so eager to find out the gender of your sweet baby. Testing is offered fairly early on in pregnancy if your provider carries it. I was able to get testing done through Natera around 10 weeks. There is a very tiny percentage of a false test result, so I was always able to double-confirm at my 20 week anatomy scan!

9. How Can I Manage Nausea in the First Trimester?

Oh boy, this question was a must. I practically lived on the toilet my first pregnancy. If this is you, you are NOT alone in this and my heart goes out to you! Believe it or not, there are temporary solutions to make it more tolerable. I am not a professional or doctor, however, this lemon-ginger chew is what saved my life when I felt to be in the trenches. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe anti-nausea medication to severe cases, if desired.

10. What Kind/Brand of Prenatal Vitamin Should I Be Taking?

All prenatal vitamins are not the same! You will typically have bloodwork that first prenatal visit. If you are low on iron for example, they may recommend a prenatal that has a higher iron content than the average prenatal. If your bloodwork came back normal, It’s always good to ask anyway to make sure you’re getting everything you need. Nonetheless, find a prenatal that works best for your needs.

Click here for a general prenatal vitamin that checks ALL the boxes.

11. Can I Have… (Anything You Are Curious About)?

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. Dont forget that they are here for YOU. You can never regret asking too many questions, only not asking enough.

12. How Much Caffeine Can I Have in a Day?

Calling all caffeine junkies like me! Caffeine can cross the placenta, potentially affecting fetal development and increasing the risk of complications. Your doctor can provide personalized advice based on factors such as your health status and individual tolerance levels.

By discussing caffeine consumption with your doctor, you gain clarity on safe limits and potential risks, empowering you to make informed choices for a healthy pregnancy. It might be time to find alternatives if advised from your doctor!

13. Should I Discontinue Any of the Medications That I’m Currently Taking?

Come in with a list of medications you’re currently taking, if any, to review and confirm the safety to continue use. Some medications are crucial to take in every day life, however, there could be a pregnancy-safe option if deemed harmful.

Also don’t forget to ask about medications you may take on occurrence. For example, some types of pain reliever medication is no longer considered safe, so Tylenol was my pregnancy-safe option when necessary.

14. What If I Feel Cramping?

Cramping is always a scary and concerning symptom to experience in pregnancy. Unfortunately, it is common, but it is always important to be able to distinguish between the types of cramping. Always ask your doctor what to look out for and what kind of cramping is considered concerning.

15. What Should I Do if I Have Spotting?

If you experience spotting during pregnancy, it’s essential to stay calm and take prompt action. Always ask your doctor what the plan of action would be if you were to ever experience this. While spotting can be common and often harmless, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss your symptoms.

16. Can I Color My Hair and Get My Nails Done?

This is my form of self-care, my friends! All personal choice of course, but keep in mind there are risks! Always double check with your doctor, as mine did say to try to avoid in the first trimester. For second and third trimesters, It was advised to be in well-ventilated areas.

I may be a diva, but hair and nails are my ultimate pregnancy craving. Some of us will have to learn some major self-control on this one.

17. When Should I Stop Traveling?

There are always risks traveling while pregnant. Not being able to reach your doctor during an emergency can be frightening. Yet, you might have travel plans or prior commitments.

Hey, we all want to have our “baby-moon” right? Do it the right way and check with your doctor prior to booking on what your cut-off time should be. This varies pregnancy-to-pregnancy, especially if you are high-risk or have a history of delivering babies preterm.

18. Is (This symptom) Normal?

Pregnancy can often give you a lot of daily concerns. Asking whether a symptom is normal during pregnancy is crucial for ensuring both your peace of mind and the health of your baby. Pregnancy brings about numerous physical changes, and while many symptoms are common and harmless, some may indicate potential complications.

If you are experiencing a symptom that you are unsure about, always ask your doctor for confirmation and security. Like I had mentioned before, it’s always best to be safe than sorry.

19. Can I Care for My Pets?

While having pets can provide comfort and companionship, certain aspects of pet care may pose risks during pregnancy. For example, exposure to certain parasites or bacteria carried by pets, such as toxoplasmosis, can pose a threat to the developing baby.

It’s a question worth asking if you have pets. May even give you a rain check on cleaning out the litter box for the full nine months, sorry hubby!

20. When Will I Feel My Baby Move?

Such a sweet time as an expecting mom to feel those indescribable baby kicks. It always gives such a connection to your baby within your pregnancy. Remember, the location of your placenta can cause a delay in feeling those baby kicks! Shockingly, I felt my first baby fairly early considering I had an anterior placenta. Between 16-20 weeks is the typical time to expect those baby kicks, but some may experience them sooner! Check with your doctor if you have yet to feel baby kicks or have noticed decreased movement.