Learn what a typical schedule for prenatal care looks like, including which tests and exams happen during each appointment with your provider.
Prenatal care is healthcare you get during pregnancy. Your provider will check on you and your growing baby during prenatal visits. This is important for your baby’s health. It’s key for your health, too.
People who don’t get prenatal care are at higher risk for poor pregnancy outcomes. That might mean having a baby who is born too small or too early. It might also mean missing your own health issues, ones you may not know are there. Conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can put your life at risk. So be sure to go to all your visits, even if you’re feeling fine.
For the next 40 weeks or so, you’ll make many trips to your provider. Each visit will depend on your health needs and how your baby is growing. But there are some tests and talks that almost every pregnant person will have.
Wondering what to expect at your prenatal visits? Here’s what to know.
Most people have their first prenatal visit around eight weeks. The second is about four weeks later.
Talk the talk: Your first prenatal visit is usually a longer one. Your provider will learn about you and your growing baby. They’ll ask about your:
You can talk about anything. And you can ask lots of questions. This is also a good time to learn about your provider. You’ll start to form a relationship. Find a provider you feel comfortable with when talking and asking questions.
Exams to expect: At your first prenatal exam, your provider will likely:
Test spotlight: At the end of your first trimester and into your second trimester, you may choose to do screening tests to learn if your fetus is at risk for birth defects. This can be done by testing your blood and performing an ultrasound.
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In this trimester, you’ll have an appointment with your provider about every four to six weeks. And good news: Morning sickness usually gets better in this trimester. You may also start to feel your baby moving around.
Talk the talk: By now, your provider has a lot of information about you and your baby. They’ll likely ask about your symptoms or fears. Don’t be afraid to ask questions too. You can also start talking about a birth plan. Share your vision about what you want your birth plan to be so they understand your wishes.
Exams to expect: At each visit, your provider will check your baby’s growth. This is done by measuring the fundal height. This is the space between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus. Your provider will also:
You’ll have an ultrasound with a maternal fetal medicine physician at around 20 weeks. This is also called an anatomy scan. It’s a tool that can check your baby for many things. On the list:
Test spotlight: Your provider will likely test you for gestational diabetes. This will happen between 24 and 28 weeks. You’ll drink a glucose (sugar) mixture. After an hour, they’ll take some blood to see how well your body reacts. A blood sugar below 140 mg/dL is usually normal. (This can vary by lab.)
If your blood sugar is too high, you’ll likely take a glucose tolerance test. You’ll be given a larger amount of the sugary drink on an empty stomach. Then you’ll have your blood drawn every hour for three hours. If two or more of the blood sugar readings are higher than normal, you may have gestational diabetes.
This can be managed through:
You may also be asked to see a hormone or diabetes specialist. They can show you how to check your blood sugar levels. And they can help you create a plan to manage the condition.
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You’ll start to meet with your provider every two to three weeks during your third trimester. And visits usually happen once per week starting at 36 weeks. Your last few visits are very important.
Talk the talk: Learning is key at the end of your pregnancy. Your provider will tell you about labor and delivery. You can even take a childbirth or newborn basics class. You can also finalize your birth plan.
Exams to expect: Your provider will measure the baby to make sure your pregnancy is on target. They will also continue to check:
Your provider may also check your face and hands for swelling. Swelling could be caused by preeclampsia. This is a sudden increase in blood pressure that usually happens in the third trimester. It’s a serious problem that can cause premature birth. And it can lead to other issues for you and your baby if untreated.
Test spotlight: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium. It won’t usually hurt healthy adults. But it can cause health problems in newborns. Your provider will test for GBS at around 36 weeks. This is done by swabbing your vagina, cervix, and rectum. A positive test means you’ll likely be given antibiotics during labor. This will help protect your baby.
There’s a lot to keep track of during pregnancy. Step back. Take a deep breath. And try to take it one visit at a time.
Article sources:
Prenatal tests: Office on Women’s Health
First trimester visits: Mayo Clinic
Infections during pregnancy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Second trimester visits: Mayo Clinic
Glucose tolerance test: Cleveland Clinic
Third trimester visits: Mayo Clinic
Preeclampsia: National Library of Medicine: MedLine Plus
Schedule of prenatal care: UCLA Health
