When you’re pregnant, there’s a lot going on—your body is changing, your emotions are all over the place and suddenly you’ve got a lot of questions. One of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby is to start prenatal care early. The more you take care of yourself during pregnancy, the better you can care for your newborn.
Start Prenatal Care Early
The moment you find out you’re pregnant, it’s time to set up your first prenatal appointment. It might take a little time to find the right doctor, so don’t wait. You can see a family doctor, OB-GYN, nurse midwife or nurse practitioner. If cost is a concern, check out AHCCCS for free or low-cost prenatal care in Arizona.
What Happens at Prenatal Visits
At each visit, your doctor or nurse will:
- Check your health and your baby’s heartbeat and growth.
- Run tests on your blood for low iron, hepatitis B, diabetes and other problems. They can also test for HIV, tuberculosis and certain rare birth defects. Many of these problems can be treated.
- Talk with you about vaccines like flu, COVID, Tdap and possibly RSV—these help protect both you and your baby.
- Go over any vitamins, herbs or medications you’re taking to make sure they are safe to take during pregnancy.
- Ask about your work and daily life to make sure you’re staying safe
- Answer any questions or concerns you might have.
This is your time to speak up! No question is too small. Whether it’s about body changes, birth plans or just how you’re feeling—your care team is there to help.
Support in Your Home
First Things First supports free home visiting programs across Arizona that provide 1-on-1 help for expectant women and parents of young children. A trained parent educator will work with you, in the convenience of your own home, to:
- Help you understand how your child is developing.
- Learn positive parenting skills and how to handle challenging behaviors.
- Help your child learn and develop social-emotional skills.
- Do fun activities with your child.
- Connect you with helpful information and resources available in your community.
- Answer your questions and give you emotional support and encouragement.
