When it’s time for your first prenatal visit, you may be feeling a little nervous or even excited. But the first appointment with your healthcare provider is the perfect time to get acquainted with your OBGYN or Midwife. Once you find the right healthcare provider for your needs and confirm your due date, consider the following questions to ask at your first prenatal visit for a healthy, happy pregnancy!

1. “What Foods Should I Eat?”

You’ve probably heard quite a bit about what you should or shouldn’t eat while pregnant. When it’s time for your first prenatal visit, discussing the best foods with your healthcare provider as soon as possible is essential. However, most will recommend a diet full of the following:

• Protein
• Healthy fats
• Complex carbohydrates
• Fiber
• Vitamins and Minerals

Keep in mind that these suggestions are merely general guidelines. If you have certain health conditions or you’re considered a “high-risk pregnancy,” your healthcare provider may have specific recommendations for your nutrition. 

2. “How Much Weight Should I Gain?”

Most women gain somewhere between 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, but you won’t need to pack on the pounds all at once. You should gain anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds in the first trimester. From then on, you’ll generally gain 1 pound per week for the duration of your pregnancy.

Your healthcare provider may recommend that you gain more or less weight depending on your current height and weight. For instance, you may only need to gain between 15 and 25 pounds if you’re overweight. In contrast, underweight women may need to gain anywhere from 28 to 40 pounds.

3. “What Medications are Safe to Take While Pregnant?”

There are a few OTC medications that expectant mothers shouldn’t take. Speak with your healthcare provider about your current prescriptions and OTC medications as soon as you’ve confirmed your pregnancy. 

If you need to stop taking a particular medication, your healthcare provider will help you slowly taper off your current dosage. This is important, because some medications are unsafe to discontinue immediately. Additionally, it may be beneficial to ask about recommended vaccinations during pregnancy.

Have a Healthy Pregnancy with 2Me Healthcare

It’s essential to stay informed, even at the earliest stages of your pregnancy. Whether you’re planning to start a family or seeking support throughout your pregnancy, working with healthcare providers who listen to your concerns can make all the difference in your birthing plan.

If you’re interested in working with a midwife that offers holistic pregnancy support, OB2Me is here to help. At OB2Me, we offer private in-home or in-office concierge midwifery care to support you with comfortable prenatal and postpartum care for you and your family. We are also available to help you throughout your labor and delivery at the hospital.

OB2Me provides multiple packages and services to best fit your needs and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood as stress-free as possible. Contact our team today and see how working with a dedicated and passionate healthcare provider can make all the difference.

Carson

Carson Ragan, CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife with more than 25 years of experience in Labor & Delivery, Neonatal ICU, and women’s healthcare. After becoming a mother at a young age and experiencing the birth of her premature second child, she was inspired to pursue nursing and ultimately midwifery.

She earned her nursing degree from Columbus State University and graduated as an RN in 1999. After years of experience as an L&D and NICU nurse, charge nurse, educator, and clinician, she earned her graduate degree from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2010 and became a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Her personal experiences as both a mother and healthcare provider inspired her vision for a more personal, convenient approach to women’s healthcare. She created a concierge model designed to give women more time, individualized attention, and quality care in the comfort of their home or office.

Outside of work, Carson enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, volunteering with her daughter’s volleyball teams, traveling, and scuba diving.