Prenatal Visits What to Expect

Prenatal Visits-What to Expect

You're pregnant! Besides having your whole world change, that means you're also about to embark upon a number of prenatal visits. The recommended schedule of prenatal visits is monthly for the first twenty-eight weeks, every two weeks from twenty-eight to thirty-six weeks and weekly thereafter until delivery. While most things in life involve risks, a prenatal visit is one way to protect your unborn baby. According to author and pediatrician Dr. Sears, the following is what you can expect from a prenatal visit.

0-4 WEEKS

• On your first prenatal visit plan to have:
• Pregnancy confirmed
• A general medical history
• A general physical exam, including an internal exam
• Blood tests: hemoglobin and hematocrit, blood typing, rubella titer, hepatitis B screen
• Pap smear
• Possible blood test for genetic diseases if your history warrants
• Urinalysis
• Weight and blood pressure checks
• Counseling on proper nutrition and avoiding environmental hazards
• Your first prenatal visit will also allow you a chance to discuss your concerns

5-9 WEEKS

• Examination of your abdomen
• Examination of the size and height of uterus
• Anemia check
• Nutritional counseling
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Urinalysis
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

10-14 WEEKS

• Examination of your abdomen to feel the top of the uterus
• Measure the size and height of uterus
• Anemia check
• Urinalysis
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Possibly hearing baby's heartbeat
• Discussion of tests if needed
• Exam for swelling of hands and legs or fluid retention
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

15-19 WEEKS

• Examination of uterus
• Examination for swelling varicose veins, and rashes
• Hear baby's heartbeat
• Ultrasound shows baby's movement and developed organs
• A triple screen test for possible prenatal genetic defects
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Urinalysis
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

20-24 WEEKS

• Examination of uterus
• Abdominal exam
• Examination of your breasts and skin
• Examination for swelling of hands, legs, and enlargement of veins
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Urinalysis
• Hear baby's heartbeat
• Ultrasound, if indicated
• An assessment of fetal activity -- how often your baby moves and what it feels like
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

24-28 WEEKS

• Examination of uterus
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Urinalysis
• Oral glucose tolerance test, screening for gestational glucose intolerance, if indicated
• Vaginal culture, screening test for beta strep infection, if indicated
• Hear your baby's heart beat
• Ultrasound, if indicated
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

28-32 WEEKS

• Examination of uterus
• Examination of your skin for rashes, enlarging veins, and swelling
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Urinalysis
• Hemoglobin and hematocrit, if indicated
• Review of your diet, an opportunity to discuss your weight, if necessary
• Hear baby's heartbeat
• See ultrasound of how baby has grown (if indicated)
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

32-36 WEEKS

• Examination of uterus
• Examination of skin for rashes, enlarging veins, and swelling
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Urinalysis
• Hemoglobin and hematocrit, if indicated
• Review of your diet, an opportunity to discuss your weight, if necessary
• Hear baby's heartbeat
• See how baby has grown on ultrasound, if indicated
• Another opportunity to discuss your concerns

36-40 WEEKS

• Uterus exam
• Determination of position of baby
• An internal exam, if indicated
• Weight and blood pressure check
• Possible ultrasound
• Urinalysis
• An opportunity to discuss when to call your practitioner if labor begins
• An chance to discuss the difference between Braxton-Hicks contractions and the "real" ones
• An opportunity to discuss your birth plan
• An opportunity to discuss other concerns

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