Prenatal care includes checkups and screening tests that will help keep you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy. Routine prenatal care also includes education and counseling from your doctor about a variety of topics related to pregnancy. This might include guidance on diet, exercise, dealing with the typical discomfort of pregnancy, and what to expect during labor and delivery.
What to Expect at Prenatal Appointments
Throughout your pregnancy, you will talk to your doctor about how you’re feeling. During routine prenatal care, your doctor and the nurses in the practice will be covering a lot of information and asking plenty of questions. However, if you have something specific on your mind, bring it up! You should always feel comfortable talking to your OB about any concerns or ask any questions.
Raleigh OB/GYN Centre has started spacing out prenatal visits a bit more in response to the COVID-19 pandemic so patients do not have to come in as often. Our recommended schedule for routine prenatal care is:
- Weeks 4 to 28: Checkup every 4 – 6 weeks
- Weeks 28 to 36: Checkup every 2 – 4 weeks
- Week 36 to Birth: Checkup once every week
If you have a high-risk pregnancy or develop complications, your doctor may want to see you more often.
First Prenatal Appointment
At your first prenatal appointment, your doctor will get a complete medical history that includes any health issues you have and medications you are taking. You’ll have a discussion about your lifestyle and any changes you need to make regarding activity, diet, or other habits. They will also perform a physical exam.
Some things you can expect at your first prenatal care appointment include:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight measurement
- Urine test
- Establishing the due date
- Lab tests
- Blood type
- Hemoglobin measurement
- Check for immunity to certain infections
- Check for exposure to other infections
- Discussion about the prenatal tests available to you
- Prescribing prenatal vitamins
Weeks 4 to 28 of Pregnancy
During these appointments, your provider will give you a physical examination and ask about how you’re feeling. In the third trimester, you may be asked to keep track of the baby’s movements in the womb.
During this time you can expect the following at your checkups:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight measurement
- Urine test
- Checking for swelling in the feet, hands, and face
- Listening to the baby’s heartbeat (from week 12 on)
- Ultrasound exam (at 18 – 20 weeks you may be able to see the gender)
- Optional genetic screening
- Measuring and feeling your belly to check on the size and position of the baby (second and third trimester)
- Glucose challenge screening and glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes.
Weeks 28 to 36 of Pregnancy
During this time you can expect the following at your checkups:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight measurement
- Checking for swelling in the feet, hands, and face
- Listening to the baby’s heartbeat
- Measuring and feeling your belly to check on the size and position of the baby
- Tdap vaccination
Week 36 to Birth
Once you reach week 36 of your pregnancy, your doctor will probably recommend that you come in weekly. You are seen more frequently to monitor things and prevent complications as your due date approaches.
During your checkups from 36 weeks to birth, you might expect the following:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight measurement
- Urine test
- Checking for swelling in the feet, hands, and face
- Listening to the baby’s heartbeat
- Group B strep test
- Measuring and feeling your belly to check on the size and position of the baby
- Pelvic exam to check for changes in the cervix (typically only at the 36-week appointment)
The physicians, nurses, and medical staff at Raleigh OB/GYN offer a comprehensive list of gynecological and obstetric services to the women of the Raleigh, NC area. If you have questions about prenatal care or another issue, call our office at (919) 876-8225 to make an appointment.
