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Prenatal care: the first trimester
What to expect from prenatal visits and healthy habits early in pregnancy.
Overview
Regular prenatal care helps you and your care team keep track of your health and your baby’s development. Your first visit is usually scheduled around 8 weeks of pregnancy.
Early visits
- Health history and physical exam
- Blood and urine tests
- Estimating your due date
- Discussing screening tests
Healthy habits
- Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs
- Ask before starting or stopping any medicine
- Rest and stay hydrated
When to call
Call your care team for heavy bleeding, severe belly pain, high fever, or severe vomiting that keeps you from keeping fluids down.
Last reviewed: October 15, 2026