3rd Trimester: 1st Prenatal Visit

Medically Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on June 09, 2023
Written by Lisa Fields
2 min read

Today, your doctor will help prepare you for decisions that you'll make after your babies are born. They will also check your progress and answer any questions.

At this visit, your doctor will:

  • Let you know if you're gaining weight at an ideal rate. They will suggest different foods if you're gaining too quickly or slowly. If needed, your doctor may refer you to a nutritionist to help.
  • Examine your skin to see if you're developing stretch marks, dry patches, or dark spots.
  • Use ultrasound to see how well your babies are growing. If you're carrying twins that share a placenta, your doctor will also check for TTS.
  • Check your weight and blood pressure.
  • Check your babies' heart rates.
  • Ask if your babies' movements are occurring about as often as your last appointment.
  • Ask you to leave a urine sample to check sugar and protein levels.

Your doctor will want to discuss important decisions that you'll make after delivering. Be prepared to talk about:

  • Cord-blood banking. Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord or placenta after birth. Cord blood contains stem cells, which help treat some diseases such as blood or immune system disorders. You may have the option to have the cord blood collected and stored in a cord-blood bank in case it's needed by your babies or a family member. Your doctor can explain the pros and cons of saving cord blood.
  • Circumcision. If one or both twins are boys, you and your partner should decide whether to have your babies circumcised. This is normally done in the first few days after birth. It is not a required procedure -- it's the parent's choice whether to have it done. Your doctor can explain the benefits and risks of circumcision.
  • Birth control. You can get pregnant again after giving birth, so you should choose a form of birth control before you and your partner start having sex again. Your doctor can explain your options. If you plan to breastfeed, your doctor can help you choose a type of birth control that won't decrease breast milk production.

Tap the Action button above to select questions to ask your doctor.

  • Can I do anything to prevent or minimize stretch marks?
  • Is public cord-blood banking available in our area?
  • Should I store cord blood if no diseases run in the family?
  • Is breastfeeding a foolproof birth control method?