What should I do before my first prenatal visit?

The weeks before the first appointment are not dead time - a few moves matter immediately. Start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid today if you have not already; the neural tube it protects forms in the first month, often before the visit happens. Stop alcohol and smoking now, and review everything you take - prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements - against a pregnancy-safe list with your pharmacist or the prescriber, because some common medicines need swapping early, not eventually. Caffeine gets a haircut rather than a ban: about one normal coffee a day is the usual guidance. Then do the paperwork that makes the first visit productive. ACOG describes that first prenatal visit as the longest one: a full health history, exam, and baseline labs - so arrive with the date of your last period (it sets the due-date math), your cycle length, your health history including prior pregnancies and surgeries, your family history on both sides, your medication list, and your questions written down, because pregnancy brain starts early. If you have records from a fertility clinic or prior OB, have them sent over. Also line up insurance practicalities - what your plan covers for prenatal care and delivery - and think about who you want in the room, since partners are usually welcome. Anything that cannot wait for the visit: severe pain, heavy bleeding, or vomiting that keeps no fluid down means get seen now. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you build the list and sort symptoms while you wait.