A Healthy Start Begins in the First Trimester
By: Caroline Privitt, CNM, WHNP-BC
If you just found out you are pregnant, you may feel excited, nervous, or unsure what to do next. One of the most important steps you can take is to schedule a prenatal visit right away.
The first three months of pregnancy are very important. During this time, your baby’s brain, heart, and other organs are forming. Many key changes happen before you may even look or feel pregnant. Seeing a provider in the first trimester helps make sure your pregnancy is off to a healthy start.
At your first visit, we check your health and your baby’s early development. We review your medical history and answer your questions. Our OB and Family Planning team includes certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, and physicians who work together to provide care using a collaborative model. This means you have a full team supporting you throughout your pregnancy. We order simple blood tests to check your blood type, iron level, and to screen for infections. We may offer other tests to learn more about your baby’s health. We also confirm how far along you are and set a plan for the months ahead.
Early care helps us find problems sooner. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or another condition, we can manage it early. If you are feeling very sick, very tired, or worried about something, we can help. The sooner we see you, the more we can do to support you and your baby.
We also talk about everyday things that matter. We explain what foods to eat, what medicines are safe, and which vitamins to take, including folic acid. We review vaccines and what symptoms mean you should call us right away.
If you are worried about insurance or cost, help is available. Insurance Navigators can help you apply for coverage or understand your benefits. We also offer a sliding fee scale for those who qualify.
You do not have to wait. Even if you just found out you are pregnant, now is the right time to call and make an appointment. The health center, including our OB-GYN department, is accepting new patients, even if you have not been seen here before. To make an appointment, call 978.937.9700. Starting care in the first trimester gives your baby the best chance for a healthy beginning and gives you peace of mind as you move forward.
Caroline Privitt, CNM, WHNP-BC, provides midwifery and OBGYN care at Lowell Community Health Center
