Expected First Trimester Exams and Tests

Beautiful pregnant woman with her little daughter at home

Vaginal Examination

These exams are performed for the following reasons during early pregnancy:

  • Confirming pregnancy
  • Correlating the size of the uterus with the date of the last menstrual period
  • Estimating the size and shape of the pelvis
  • Obtaining vaginal secretions to detect infection or cervical cancer (Pap smear)

Vaginal exams may be performed toward the end of pregnancy for the following reasons:

  • Assessing effacement and dilation of the cervix
  • Determining the station of the baby
  • Obtaining vaginal secretions to detect infections

At times, vaginal exams can be uncomfortable and may cause a reddish or dark-brown vaginal discharge.

Urine Tests

At each prenatal visit, it is necessary to test urine in order to:

  • Detect infection
  • Check for sugar and ketones, potential indicators of diabetes
  • Check for protein, which may indicate infection or pre-eclampsia.

Blood Tests

Blood may be drawn during the 1st or 2nd prenatal appointment, for the purposes of:

  • Confirming pregnancy (1st visit)
  • Testing for anemia
  • Determining your blood type
  • Testing for antibodies to HIV and AIDS virus
  • Determining your Rh type
  • Testing for syphilis
  • Testing for German measles immunity
  • Testing for antibodies to Hepatitis-B virus

Checking Blood Pressure

In order to detect pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), your blood pressure will be checked at every office visit.

Checking Your Weight

Sudden weight gains are potential indicators of pre-eclampsia, and checking your weight at every prenatal office visit is a method of monitoring general nutritional health.

Abdominal Exam

Your abdomen will be examined at each prenatal visit to measure the growth of the uterus which indicates fetal growth and gestational age. In the last weeks of pregnancy, it will also give your doctor or nurse-midwife important information about the size and position of the baby.

Checking Fetal Heart Rate

Utilizing a handheld ultrasound device called a Doppler, the baby’s heart-rate is checked during every prenatal office visit to assess the well-being of the baby.

Breast Examination

Breasts are examined to detect any abnormalities that would warrant further examination. For example, nipples are checked to see if they are flat or inverted, to ensure successful breastfeeding later.

Accepted Insurances

May-Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology participates with the following insurances. Please note that office copays are due at the time of service and any co-insurances are the responsibility of the patient. Please check with your carrier or call our office at 717-397-8177 for an updated menu of insurance options.

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Please consider the following when booking:

Online scheduling is currently for ESTABLISHED May-Grant patients only. If you are a new patient (GYN or OB), please call the office at 717-397-8177 to schedule your appointment to ensure that your provider has enough time to address your needs.

If you schedule an appointment online as a new patient, your appointment will be canceled and you will not be able to be seen. A “New Patient” includes those who have not been seen in our offices in the past three years.

Additionally, your insurance coverage will be verified when you check in for your visit. Please confirm that we accept your insurance before booking online. If we do not accept your insurance, you will not be seen and your appointment will be canceled.

Each patient is unique, and so is each appointment type!

Online scheduling is currently for ESTABLISHED May-Grant patients only. If you are a new patient (GYN or OB), please call the office at 717-397-8177 to schedule your appointment to ensure that your provider has enough time to address your needs.

If you schedule an appointment online as a new patient, your appointment will be canceled and you will not be able to be seen. A “New patient” includes those who have not been seen in our offices in the past three years.