The Initial Prenatal Visit

THE INITIAL PRENATAL VISIT

At the initial prenatal appointment, a comprehensive his-tory is taken, focusing on past pregnancies, gynecologic history, medical history with attention to chronic medical issues and infections, information pertinent to genetic screening, and information about the course of the current pregnancy. A complete physical examination is performed, including breast and pelvic examinations, as well as routine first trimester laboratory studies (Table 6.1). Other studies may be performed as indicated. The patient is given instruc-tions concerning routine prenatal care, warning signs of complications, whom to contact with questions or problems, and nutritional and social service information.

The initial obstetric pelvic examination also includes a description of the various diameters of the bony pelvis, assessment of the cervix (including cervical length, consistency, dilation, and effacement), and size (usually expressed in weeks), shape, consistency (firm to soft), and mobility. When the uterus grows in size so that it exits the pelvis, the fundal height in centimeters represents the gestational age of the fetus from that time to about 36 weeks.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is an important part of the initial antena-tal evaluation. Questions about history and chronic medical con-ditions are important in order to identify the pregnant woman who is at risk for complications and to initiate a management plan at the appropriate time. In addition to understanding themedical risks, it is important to understand each woman’s social circumstances, some of which may place her at risk for both physical and emotional complications. Patients should be questioned about the following aspects of their lifestyle that could pose a risk and receive appropriate counseling, if indicated:

·  Nutrition and weight-gain counseling

·  Sexual activity

·  Exercise

·  Smoking

·  Environmental and work hazards

·  Tobacco

·  Alcohol

·  Illicit/recreational drugs

·  Domestic violence

·  Seat belt use

Initial Assessment of Gestational Age:

Estimated Date of Delivery

Gestational age is the number of weeks that have elapsed betweenthe first day of the last menstrual period (not the presumed time of conception) and the date of delivery. Establishing an accurateestimated gestational age and estimated date of delivery(EDD) is an important part of the initial antepartum visit.Issues such as prematurity and postterm pregnancy and their subsequent management, as well as the timing of screening tests (i.e., maternal serum screening for trisomy 21 and NTDs, assessment of fetal maturity) are affected by the accuracy of gestational age.

Naegele’s rule is an easy way to calculate the EDD:add 7 days to the first day of the last normal menstrual flow and subtract 3 months. In a patient with an idealized 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs on day 14; therefore, the conception age of the pregnancy is actually 38 weeks. The use of the first day of the last menstrual period as a start-ing point for gestational age is standard, and gestational, not conceptional, age is used. “Normal” pregnancy lasts 40 ±2 weeks, calculated from the first day of the last nor-mal menses (menstrual or gestational age).

To establish an accurate gestational age, the date of onset ofthe last normal menses is crucial.A light bleeding episodeshould not be mistaken for a normal menstrual period. A history of irregular periods or taking medications that alter cycle length (e.g., oral contraceptives, other hormonal preparations, and psychoactive medications) can confuse the menstrual history.

 If sexual intercourse is infrequent or timed for conception based on assisted reproductive tech-niques (ARTs), a patient may know when conception is most likely to have occurred, thus facilitating an accurate calculation of gestational age.

Obstetric ultrasound examination is the most accurate measurement available in the determination of gestational age. Pelvic examination by an experienced examiner is accu-rate, within 1 to 2 weeks, in determining gestational age until about 14 to 16 weeks, at which time the lower uterine segment begins to form, thereby making clinical estimation of gestational age less accurate. In addition, in women with a retroverted uterus, estimation of gestational age is less accurate than in women with other positions of the uterus.