Mother with child

A woman's first prenatal visit sets the stage for several firsts: first ultrasound, first blue or pink (or yellow) shopping trip, and months later, the first time she meets her baby.

If current trends reflect past statistics, large numbers of Shoals women are among those mothers experiencing such firsts. In 2005, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported 543 births for every 1,000 women in Colbert County and 793 per 1,000 in Lauderdale County.

The first prenatal doctor's visit should be scheduled shortly after the confirmation of pregnancy, according to WebMD.com. Susan Bentley, a nurse practitioner at Women's Clinic Shoals in Sheffield, said women should see their doctor no later than six weeks into the pregnancy.

To prepare for their first prenatal visit, Bentley advises women to bring a list of their current medicines and set aside time for a visit that can last from one hour to an hour and a half.

Personal and family medical histories, particularly if a woman had complications with a past pregnancy, are other essentials to bring into the clinic. Adopted women should know as much as possible about their biological parents' medical history, Bentley said.

During the first prenatal visit, a woman will undergo a general physical examination, pelvic exam and pap smear, to screen for cervical cancer. Most doctors test for sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis and HIV, since they increase the likeliness of birth defects. Women with Rh-negative blood types are tested for Rh-sensitization if the father of their child is Rh-positive, to avoid complications from possible Rh-positive blood in the fetus.

Mothers get a crash course in nutrition learning to pay close attention to getting adequate amounts of calcium, iron and folic acid, which protects against birth defects. Jewel Campbell, assistant agent of Expanded Food and Nutrition Education at the Colbert County Extension Office, teaches such nutrient tips to expectant mothers as part of the extension's "Today's Mom/ Have a Healthy Baby" program.

"Pregnant ladies should eat more foods that are going to give them more nutrients," Campbell said. "Because the baby is growing every day, it needs that calcium (for its bones)."

A mother's age affects her first prenatal visit concerning birth defects.

Women older than 35, or who have a family history of birth defects will discuss a future amniocentesis, when amniotic fluid is taken from the sac surrounding the fetus to test for genetic problems such as Down's syndrome, sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. The amniocentesis is usually taken in the 16th week of pregnancy, Bentley said.

Though the focus of prenatal visits is on mother and child, Bentley emphasizes the importance of the father's presence during doctor visits for intimacy and support.

"We encourage participation from the father of the baby," she said.

Contrary to myth, when safe, sexual activity during pregnancy will not harm the child, as long as the woman isn't bleeding or leaking fluid, Bentley said.

Women should check with their doctors if they have any concern about sex during pregnancy.