Pregnancy is an exciting time full of milestones. The change will be pleasant. It’s exciting to know when your baby will arrive, to hear their heartbeat for the first time, and to feel their first kicks to say “hello mommy!”
A healthy pregnancy requires regular prenatal check-ups and testing. Maintain a healthy schedule for you and your baby. The types and timing of pregnancy ultrasound scans are discussed.
Pregnancy check-up schedule
During pregnancy, the doctor-patient relationship is vital. Whether you want to talk about your life, ask for advice, or learn more about your baby, she is the one to ask. And this bond will deepen as your baby develops. Your visits to the clinic will grow as well. You will need to go to the clinic for a regular pregnancy check-up. Pregnancy check-up schedule and timeline
Weeks 4 to 28 | 1 prenatal check-up visit a month
Weeks 28 to 36 | 1 prenatal check-up visit every 2 weeks
Weeks 36 to 40 | 1 prenatal check-up visit every week
Normal pregnancy check-up schedule. Your and your baby’s health may necessitate more visits. Follow the suggested check-up schedule. We both benefit from prenatal care. Untreated prenatally, babies are three times more likely to be underweight.
Life is hectic, but so is your baby’s health. You will forget all the hard work when you hold your healthy baby. Keep up your positivity and go with the flow.
The weekly prenatal visit and ultrasound scan schedule are shown below.
Week 6 to 10
Your first prenatal check-up visit should be immediately when you got to know about your pregnancy. Using your blood pressure, weight, and height (BMI). Systemic exams can rule out heart or respiratory issues. Early pregnancy test advice will be provided for a healthy baby, including how to maintain a balanced diet and which behaviors and activities are best avoided.
Period of low medication To prevent neural tube defects in the baby, folic acid should be taken during the first trimester (3 months). You may feel early pregnancy symptoms like nauseous or vomit. Medication may be prescribed.
It should be between 6 and 9 weeks. Your pregnancy can be confirmed with or without an ultrasound scan, but ultrasound scans can assist you in many ways. In addition, it tells you when to expect your baby and how many you’re carrying. Your baby’s heartbeat will be heard during this pregnancy ultrasound scan.
You will go through many blood and urine tests during this period. You’ll be tested for your blood group, Rhesus status, hemoglobin, and thyroid function. Aside from that, you’ll be tested for thalassemia and hepatitis B. You will be tested for diabetes (random or fasting and postprandial or OGCT). Protein traces in the urine indicate pre-eclampsia, and ASB raises the risk of premature birth.
Prenatal visits are essential to a healthy pregnancy. Focus on you and your baby now.
Week 11 to 13
Blood pressure and weight are monitored for 11 to 13 weeks. A healthy weight gain of 11-16 kg for women with a normal BMI (pregnancy BMI-18.5 to 24.9). In addition to gaining weight, then it’s 11-13 weeks for iron and calcium supplements!
A pregnancy ultrasound scan called Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan is the most important part of the 11 to 13 weeks check-up timeline. The nuchal translucency scan looks for Down’s syndrome. The scan measures the nuchal fold, a skin fold at the nape of your baby’s neck. However, increased thickness does not tell you whether your baby has a chromosomal abnormality. The results show your baby’s risk of chromosomal abnormality. In this case, the NT scan looks for Down’s syndrome. This pregnancy ultrasound scan can tell you your due date and if you’re having twins.
Week 16
Your blood pressure and weight are checked now. The baby’s growth is checked by an abdominal exam. Starting this week, you can listen to your baby’s heartbeat during prenatal visits.
Take iron and calcium supplements. The pregnancy needs iron. Iron is used by blood cells to make hemoglobin, which transports oxygen. Anemia can be caused by a lack of iron. It’s anemia. Your body needs more iron to make extra blood for your growing baby. Your body also has more fluid, diluting hemoglobin. Iron is essential for both mother and child during pregnancy.
You may have adjusted to your body’s changes after 16 weeks. You can ask questions and express your concerns as usual.
Week 18 to 20
Routine prenatal check-up visits at 18-20 weeks. Blood pressure and weight are taken to monitor your baby’s growth.
18-20 weeks is mid-pregnancy. The scan shows most of your baby’s vital organs developing. To facilitate this, a major ultrasound procedure called anomaly (or ultrasound level II) is performed. Your baby’s growth, movement, and internal organ development are all studied. The baby’s arms, legs, hands, and feet are all examined. Lastly, the doctor will examine the placenta and amniotic fluid.
Detecting anomalies allows for discussion and action if a problem is found. This scan can cause anxiety in parents. Remember that many normal babies have markers. Don’t panic if you find something unusual. Discuss it with your doctor, confirm the issue first, re-scan if necessary, and try to solve it if it is confirmed.
Week 24 to 26
Your baby’s blood pressure, weight, and abdominal growth will be checked at this time. You’ll hear your baby’s heartbeat again. You will get another blood test done at this stage to check your hemoglobin levels. Then adjust your iron supplement dosage based on the results. Unnecessary iron supplementation
A glucose challenge test will be given to you, and you’ll have to take it to test for gestational diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) levels cause gestational diabetes. Insufficient insulin production can cause high blood sugar. Insulin helps your body’s muscles and tissues use and store blood sugar. Sugar in the blood can harm both mother and fetus. The glucose challenge test can help you and your baby avoid problems.
FOGSI advises all pregnant women to get flu vaccination shots at 26 weeks. The swine flu vaccine protects you and your baby. In case of an epidemic, you may be advised to get the vaccination earlier.
Week 28
Blood pressure, weight, and an abdominal exam are on the agenda this week. Hemoglobin tests may be required. Iron supplementation is based on hemoglobin level. If your blood group is Rh-negative, you will be offered an anti-D injection (ICT test).
Tetanus can occur during pregnancy. The infection can be passed on to the fetus, endangering both mother and child. Neonatal tetanus is a highly fatal condition. Babies are affected because they lack immunity from their non-immunized mothers. Pregnant women should get the Tetanus Toxoid vaccine.
Vaccines can prevent tetanus. Antibodies formed in your body after vaccination pass to your baby and protect them for a few months. Two Tetanus Toxoid (TT) injections protect you and your baby from tetanus. The first dose is usually given between 26 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Between 28 and 32 weeks, a growth and fetal growth and fetal wellbeing scan are advised. This scan monitors your baby’s growth. These measurements are taken to determine the baby’s size (HC, AC), the length of the thigh bone (FL), and the depth of the amniotic fluid around the baby. If the measurements are within normal ranges, your baby is probably fine. You will be advised to have a second scan two weeks later if your baby is larger or smaller than expected. These serial scans help track the baby’s growth and take action as needed.
Week 30 to 36
Prenatal visits will increase as your baby grows and you near delivery. Each visit is for two weeks.
These visits will include routine checks of your baby’s growth and blood pressure. The baby’s health and position will be monitored. You will be examined and advised on how to prepare for breastfeeding. You will soon have your growth and fetal wellbeing scan. During the 36th week’s visit to the clinic, the second dose of the tetanus toxoid vaccine will be given.
Week 37 and 38
A weekly clinic visit follows after 36 weeks. These include regular blood pressure, weight, and bump checks. Monitor the baby’s heartbeat and movement. You should get a scan or a color Doppler study.
Knowing your baby’s position is vital. A thorough bump examination will reveal a breech baby. Your baby is bottom-down and head-up in the breech position. You’ll notice your baby move as you grow with their child. The baby will settle around 8 months. This is a normal position for a baby to be in. Only a few babies are born breech or bottom-first.
Completion of 38 weeks of pregnancy is a good time for cesarean section (LSCS) delivery. For breech babies or other medical reasons, consider a Caesarean (LSCS). Your C-section is this week.
You will be asked to call the clinic if you develop any symptoms while expecting. abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, fetal movement decreases, and vaginal bleeding. Also, learn about epidural analgesia/painless labor during these weeks.
Week 39
Your pregnancy is almost over. Your baby is coming. Blood pressure and weight checks are part of the 39th-week pregnancy checkup. Its pulse and position will be tracked. Any anomalies will be addressed.
Week 40
Unborn babies will have a vaginal exam to assess their suitability for vaginal delivery. In addition to nonstress tests, post-dates testing may include ultrasounds and biophysical profiles. Then we’ll talk about inducing labor. While most labor begins naturally, some do not. Painkillers are used to induce labor.