A healthy pregnancy involves regular opportunities to check on your health and your baby’s development. That is the purpose of prenatal care: the checkups and testing you receive while pregnant. An obstetrician or a midwife typically provides this care.
This guide is useful for people who are pregnant and for partners who want to understand what appointments may involve. Your provider will set a visit schedule and discuss the care appropriate for your pregnancy.
Why prenatal care matters
According to MedlinePlus guidance on prenatal care, regular care can help keep you and your fetus healthy until delivery. Visits give your provider opportunities to identify health problems early. Early treatment can resolve many problems and help prevent others from developing.
Appointments are also a chance to ask questions about pregnancy and preparing for birth. You can discuss childbirth education classes for you and your partner, along with questions about healthy eating, weight gain, and prenatal vitamins.
How often are prenatal visits scheduled?
Your provider will give you a schedule. MedlinePlus describes the following usual pattern:
- Weeks 4 through 28: Once a month.
- Weeks 28 through 36: Twice a month.
- From week 36 until birth: Weekly.
This is a general schedule, not a requirement that fits every pregnancy. If you are over 35 or have a high-risk pregnancy because of a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, your provider will probably want more frequent visits. Appointments also generally become more frequent as your due date approaches.
What to expect at the first visit
The first prenatal appointment may take longer than later visits because your provider reviews your health background and assesses your pregnancy. The discussion will most likely include your medical history, any previous pregnancies, your family’s health history, and conditions or risk factors that could affect you or your fetus.
Your provider will also most likely:
- Perform a complete physical examination, including a pelvic examination and Pap test.
- Review blood, urine, or other routine prenatal laboratory tests.
- Check your blood pressure, height, and weight.
- Discuss healthy weight gain, eating habits, and prenatal vitamins.
- Determine your due date, when you will be 40 weeks pregnant.
These conversations give you an opportunity to raise questions about existing health conditions and how they may affect pregnancy.
What happens at later checkups?
During most visits, your provider will check your blood pressure and weight gain, check the fetal heart rate, and look for swelling in your hands and feet. Once you begin to show, your provider will measure your abdomen to assess fetal growth.
Routine prenatal testing is also part of care. Additional tests may depend on the stage of pregnancy. Ask your provider about the testing included in your care and any questions you have about what happens during a visit.
Medicines, substances, and questions for your provider
Always talk with your provider before starting or stopping any medicine. Some medicines can harm a fetus, so medication decisions during pregnancy need professional guidance.
MedlinePlus also advises avoiding potentially harmful substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, to help protect your health and your fetus’s health.
Seek your provider’s advice about pregnancy-related health questions, existing conditions, medicines, prenatal vitamins, and an appropriate amount of weight gain. Prenatal visits provide ongoing opportunities for these conversations. General health information can help you understand care, but it does not replace professional medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who usually provides prenatal care?
A provider specializing in pregnancy and childbirth, such as an obstetrician or a midwife, typically provides prenatal care.
Will everyone have the same appointment schedule?
No. Your provider sets your schedule. Being over 35 or having health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may mean more frequent visits.
Can I ask about preparing for childbirth?
Yes. Prenatal visits are a chance to discuss delivery preparation. Ask your provider about childbirth education classes for you and your partner.
