What to Expect During a Visit

At Alaska Family Health & Birth Center, our main focus is supporting and educating you to make the healthiest choices for you and your baby.

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Regular prenatal care visits typically start between 10-12 weeks, but can begin as early as 5 weeks, if you prefer.

What happens at the first appointment?

Your first appointment may take up to 1-1/2 hours, and during that first visit your midwife will:

  • Answer all questions you have
  • Obtain a medical history and complete a genetic screening interview
  • Provide information on nutrition, informed consent, and information leading up to upcoming prenatal screenings
  • Draw blood for lab work (periodic lab work is performed throughout the pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes screening, Group B Strep Screening, Vitamin D level measuring and CBCs)
  • Discuss your course of care
  • Schedule an ultrasound, if appropriate, with one of our CNMs
  • Refer you to a doctor, if appropriate

What happens at the routine prenatal visits that follow?

Your midwife will:

  • Assess your baby’s well-being by measuring the growth of the uterus and listening to his or her fetal heart beat. Determine the position and presentation of the baby (when he or she is big enough to do so.)
  • Assess your overall well-being by checking your blood pressure, reviewing any lab work or ultrasound results, discussing discomforts or symptoms of illness, discussing nutrition and hydration, encouraging activity and exercise, and talking about any concerns or stresses you may be experiencing.
  • Suggest resources that may be relevant or of interest to you

How often do appointments occur?

Routine appointments occur on the following schedule:

  • 12 to 28 weeks pregnant: Prenatal visit every 3-4 weeks, with lab work starting at 12 weeks
  • 28 to 35 weeks pregnant: Prenatal visits every 2 weeks
  • 36 weeks pregnant until delivery: Weekly prenatal visits