Pregnancy planning

Your body and baby will change a lot over the next 40 weeks, and Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic will guide you through every stage.

Wherever you are on your pregnancy journey, it's common to feel joy and some nervousness about what will happen before your baby is born. To put your mind at ease, here are some things you can do to prepare for the best possible experience.

Find an OB-GYN

One of the first steps after becoming pregnant is to choose an OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist). An OB-GYN is a medical professional who specializes in pregnancy care before, during and after your baby is born.

Choose an OB-GYN who makes you feel comfortable and takes time to answer your questions during this important health journey. Ask the office if they offer free sessions to get to know the team.

Prenatal care

Regular appointments with your health care provider throughout your pregnancy are important to ensure the health of you and your baby. In addition to medical care, prenatal care includes education about pregnancy and childbirth, plus counseling and support.

Frequent visits with your health care provider allow you to follow the progress of your baby’s development. Visits also give you the opportunity to ask questions. Also, we welcome your partner at each visit, as well as interested family members.

What happens at my first visit for prenatal care?

The visit will give our physicians clues to any risk factors that may affect your pregnancy. It will typically be longer than future visits. The purpose of the first prenatal visit is to:

• Determine your due date
• Find out your health history
• Explore the medical history of family members
• Determine if you have any pregnancy risk factors based on your age, health or personal and family history

You’ll be asked about previous pregnancies and surgeries, medical conditions and exposure to any contagious diseases. Also, you’ll have the opportunity to ask us about any medications you have taken or are currently taking.

Don’t hesitate to ask your provider any questions you may have. Most likely, those are the questions your provider hears most often! And we love to answer them.

What common prenatal tests will I be given?

Typically, your first prenatal visit includes:

• Physical exam: Your weight, blood pressure, heart, lungs and breasts are checked
• Pelvic exam: During the pelvic exam, a Pap smear is taken to screen for cervical cancer, and cultures are taken to detect sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, a bimanual internal exam (with two fingers inside the vagina and one hand on the abdomen) will be performed to determine the size of your uterus and pelvis. This exam will also check for any abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
• Collection of urine specimens
• Blood tests

How often will I see a provider during my pregnancy?

After the first visit, you’ll probably be seen monthly through the early stages of pregnancy, as long as everything is going well. Later in the pregnancy, we see patients most frequently. Of course, we are available during visiting hours to answer urgent questions, or to deal with any unexpected problems.

Will I need pre-surgery testing?

In some cases, your doctor may decide Cesarean delivery (C-section) is safest for both you and your baby. If your C-section is planned, your doctor may request pre-surgery testing, including fetal monitoring and bloodwork, before delivery. You’ll also be given a scheduled time to arrive at the hospital.

Take childbirth classes

The more you know about pregnancy and childbirth, the more confident you’ll feel. All expectant parents can benefit from our range of classes and support.

Led by experienced childbirth educators and certified lactation consultants, topics cover birth, breastfeeding, baby safety, becoming a parent and more. 

Tour our Family Birth Center

We offer both in-person and virtual tours of our Atrium Health Floyd Women's Care Family Birth Center before your delivery so you can learn more about what to expect.

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