When to Schedule Your First OB Appointment

Congratulations! You got that positive test result. Now it’s time to make a doctor’s appointment. Your first prenatal appointment with an ob-gyn is separate from a confirmation of pregnancy appointment (if you choose to schedule one), during which any physician, not necessarily an OB, can adminster a blood test to determine whether or not you’re pregnant.

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your actual antepartum care begins around eight or nine weeks when an OB gets your comprehensive medical history and you receive a full physical examination and various screenings. Ashley Roman, MD, who specializes in maternal and fetal medicine at NYU Langone Medical Cetner, confirms:

“We typically schedule low risk patients for their first visit at around eight or nine weeks,” she says. “There are some cases when we recommend women come to the office earlier (when they have a positive pregnancy test), such as if a woman has had recurrent early pregnancy losses or if she needs to be on blood thinners for a known blood clotting disorder.”

Find out more about what to anticipate at that first visit here.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.