What are prenatal visits like and where do they take place?
I schedule prenatal visits on the same schedule that most physicians’ offices do. Every four weeks until the 32nd week, then every two weeks until the last month when visits occur every week until the birth. A typical prenatal visit lasts about an hour and encompasses the following: Discussions about nutrition Discomforts Family relationships Desires for the birth Parenting issues Emotional readiness Questions about pregnancy and/or birth Blood pressure check Urine check (for information on a mother’s kidney function, etc.) Measurement of baby’s growth Abdominal palpation to determine baby’s position Listening to baby’s heartbeat.
