[5 MIN READ]
In this article:
-
Going to regular prenatal appointments helps keep pregnant people and their babies healthy.
-
Some aspects of visits with the OB/GYN or midwife can be challenging, such as the pregnancy appointment schedule, the glucose test and speculums.
-
A Providence Swedish midwife shares what patients typically dislike most about prenatal exams and alternatives to help you get the care you need and deserve.
Dislike prenatal appointments? Here’s how to make them better.
When you’re pregnant, going to your regular prenatal appointments helps keep you and your baby healthy. There’s plenty to like about these visits — from listening to the heartbeat to getting all your questions answered.
But, while important, some aspects of prenatal care can be challenging. And that’s putting it lightly. We spoke with Mary Mittell, CNM, medical director of midwifery at Providence Swedish, about what patients typically dislike the most about their pregnancy appointments and potential workarounds to make them easier.
So many appointments, so little time
During an average pregnancy, you may visit your provider at least 12 times before your due date, if not more. It can be a lot to manage. You’re tired. You may be uncomfortable. And yet, you have to take time off work, arrange childcare, travel to the clinic, park and wait. All to spend a relatively brief amount of time with your OB/GYN or midwife. So, what can you do?
“Ask if your provider offers virtual appointments,” suggests Mittell. “There are some prenatal visits that don’t involve lab work, immunizations or ultrasounds. If you’re feeling well overall, then a virtual visit can be a more convenient way to connect with your provider.”
The dreaded sugary drink
If you’ve been pregnant before or know a pregnant person, they’ve probably mentioned (read: complained about) the sickeningly sweet drink used to screen for gestational diabetes. Called a glucose test, the process involves drinking a bunch of sugar, waiting for an hour and then having your blood drawn.
“Most people don’t like the taste of the drink,” says Mittell. “Or the extra time in the office. Some people can feel nauseated or have a headache from drinking so much sugar.”
To improve the experience, she recommends drinking the beverage cold. Many say it tastes better that way. At the visit before your glucose test, which usually happens at around 26–28 weeks of pregnancy, ask if you can take the drink home. Store it in the fridge and either bring it to your glucose test appointment, or drink it beforehand with enough time to check in and get your blood drawn after arriving.
Mittell also says a high protein snack and extra water after the test can help you feel better.
You’re weighing me, again?
Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones or the growing pregnant belly, but being pregnant can make you feel extra vulnerable, especially about weight. You might wonder if you’ve gained enough weight or too much. Though it’s important for your OB/GYN or midwife to monitor your weight during pregnancy, some people just don’t like being weighed.
“Weighing can help us assess the severity of nausea and vomiting early in pregnancy,” explains Mittell. “It also gives us information about how the baby is growing and alerts us to problems with excess swelling at the end of pregnancy.”
Still, for some people, getting on a scale and seeing the numbers change can be stressful. If you feel this way, try standing with your back facing the scale and tell your provider not to share the number. They don’t have to discuss your weight unless there’s a specific concern.
No, not the cold speculum!
Some, though not all, prenatal appointments involve a pelvic exam, using a speculum — an instrument that can be cold and uncomfortable, for sure. The good news is that your provider can do some tests without a speculum exam. Instead, you can collect a sample by inserting a swab into the vagina yourself. Many people find this easier and appreciate the privacy.
If you do need a speculum exam, Mittell says, “Discuss your concerns with your provider. Strategies like having a support person, listening to music, not involving the stirrups, and using a smaller or plastic speculum can make the experience more comfortable.”
Pregnant, naked and afraid
Imagine: You enter the exam room. The staff hands you a paper gown and says to remove your clothes. You put on the gown, with its large, revealing opening, and wait for what feels like hours for your provider. Sound familiar? Not surprisingly, a lot of people don’t like wearing exam gowns — especially before they’ve even talked to their provider. Mittell says most of the time, this approach helps save time for your provider. But it’s not required.
“Ask if you can stay dressed for the first part of the visit,” she recommends. “Then have the provider step out of the room briefly if you need to change into an exam gown.”
You deserve personalized pregnancy care
At Providence Swedish, every clinic has certain routines, but our doctors and midwives know how important it is to customize care to your specific needs and preferences. Remember, you deserve the best from your prenatal appointments.
“It’s OK to discuss aspects of your care that are hard for you and explore alternatives,” says Mittell. “The most important thing is that you are able to get the care you need — and often, there are a variety of strategies to make that happen.”
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Pregnancy and Childbirth to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN, midwife or doula. You can also connect virtually with your provider to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow-up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a provider specializing in pregnancy and childbirth near you.
Information for patients and visitors
Related resources
Healthy pregnancy essentials: guidance for your prenatal journey
A new mom finds help and reassurance at Providence Swedish's Lytle Center for Pregnancy and Newborns
Can you laugh your way through labor pain?
Embracing your postpartum body with care and acceptance
Compassionate, transformative care for substance-using pregnant people and their babies
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.
Providence Swedish experts in the media
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
About the Author
More Content by Swedish Women's Health Team
