Prenatal care schedule

You will receive regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy. The following serves as an outline of typical prenatal appointments as well as what to expect at each appointment. Some patients, including patients with high-risk pregnancies, will have more appointments or tests than those listed on this page. If you ever have a concern about your pregnancy between appointments, do not hesitate to call or come in to see us!

First visit (4 to 10 weeks after your last menstrual period)

• Confirm pregnancy with a blood test or ultrasound
• Determine an estimated due date
• Physical exam
• Pap smear (if due)
• Review of health history
• Address any medical problems that might affect your pregnancy
• Answer questions

8 to 14 weeks

• Pregnancy bloodwork drawn
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure
• Answer questions
• First trimester genetic screening (optional)

17 to 19 weeks

• Ultrasound to evaluate baby's anatomy (can determine gender)
• Second trimester genetic screening bloodwork drawn (optional)
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Check mother's blood count
• Answer questions

20 to 24 weeks

• Measure fundal height to determine growth of baby
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions

27 to 29 weeks

• Gestational diabetes test (one hour test)
• Blood test for syphilis (state-mandated test)
• Measure fundal height
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions

31 to 33 weeks

• Measure fundal height
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions

33 to 35 weeks

• Measure fundal height
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions

36 weeks

• Group B strep culture
• Cervical exam to determine dilation and baby's presentation (vertex or breech)
• Measure fundal height
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions

37 weeks, 38 weeks and 39 weeks (one appointment each week)

• Measure fundal height
• Check baby's heart rate
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions

40 weeks (due date)

• Exam for cervical dilation
• Non-stress test to monitor baby's heart rate
• Amniotic fluid index to measure the amount of fluid around the baby using ultrasound
• Schedule induction of labor at 41 or 42 weeks
• Measure fundal height
• Check mother's blood pressure and urine
• Answer questions