As an expecting mother, it’s important to keep track of your pregnancy and make sure you are getting the best care possible. One of the most crucial steps in this process is arranging a visit with a midwife or obstetrician. Midwives and OBs provide specialized prenatal care for pregnant women and can help ensure that both mom and baby stay healthy throughout their journey together.
When should you arrange to see a midwife?
Generally, it’s best to make an appointment as soon as you find out that you are pregnant or even before if possible. This will give your midwife plenty of time to get familiar with your medical history so they can provide tailored advice on how best to manage any potential risks during pregnancy or labor.
Your first visit should be around 8 weeks into the pregnancy when all necessary tests have been done such as blood work and ultrasounds. These results will help inform decisions regarding further testing, or interventions needed during childbirth preparation classes later on in the third trimester (if desired).
Midwifery visits usually take place every 4-6 weeks until about 28 weeks into gestation, where appointments become more frequent at 2-3 week intervals, up until 36 weeks when weekly visits start taking place right up till delivery day.
During each checkup, expectant mothers receive detailed information on nutrition, exercise regimes suitable for each stage of development, plus emotional support from experienced practitioners. OBs and midwives understand what it takes physically and mentally throughout one’s entire birthing experience, from conception, through postpartum and recovery stages too.
In summary, try to set an appointment to meet with a midwife or OB as soon as possible after finding out about your pregnancy. Ideally, this takes place within 8-10 days.