What tests will I have? If he is, you may be offered a procedure called an external cephalic version to try to turn the baby. Nuchal fold test (screening for Down syndrome). Your health care provider will also start to provide you with resources for what classes you and your partner should attend. At your first prenatal visit, your provider will calculate your due date, schedule blood tests, may perform a pelvic and breast exam, measure your height and weight, listen to your heart and lungs, and touch and push lightly on your stomach. 2011a. A urine tests is used to assess bladder or kidney infections, diabetes, dehydration and preeclampsia by screening for high levels of sugars, proteins, ketones and bacteria. 2011b. What You Can Expect: Be Prepared to Discuss: Ask Your Doctor: Just a few weeks to go before you meet your little one! Amniocentesis (diagnostic test for many genetic diseases). Urine sample to screen for sugar and protein. Blood tests might be offered between week 24 to 28 of pregnancy to check your blood count and iron levels and screen for diabetes that can develop during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Task_Force_and_Work_Group_Reports/Hypertension_in_Pregnancy, ACOG. (This test, called an antibody screen, is sometimes done near the end of the second trimester, when you have blood drawn for the glucose screening test.). Blood tests can tell if you are pregnant about six to eight days after you ovulate. Check for swelling in your hands and feet. 2. What Happens at Your First Prenatal Visit, 7. Your prenatal visits are extremely important for the health of both you and your growing baby. Weight Gain during Pregnancy. She'll ask whether you've had any contractions, swelling, headaches, or have any other concerns. What happens at your first prenatal visit at 12 weeks? The goal of prenatal care is to ensure that you and your baby remain healthy during your entire pregnancy. Wrist Pain during Pregnancy – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome when Pregnant. (While the shot won't do any good if you're already producing antibodies, there's also no harm in receiving it.). Weeks 36 to 40: 1 prenatal visit every week. She may also try to determine whether your baby has "dropped" – that is, moved down into your pelvic cavity in preparation for birth. Your ankles, hands, and face will be checked for swelling, which can be a sign of preeclampsia. What’s Normal. Measure your height and weight, and palpate your abdomen for any abnormalities. Here are some other tests and care you may receive in the third trimester: If your practitioner hasn't already done so, she'll talk to you early this trimester about the signs of preterm labor and preeclampsia and review other warning signs (such as vaginal bleeding or decreased fetal movement) that should prompt a call to her. It may be different for you based on your individual needs. If you did not meet with your health care provider before your were pregnant, your first prenatal visit will generally be around 8 weeks after your LMP (last menstrual period). Don't be put off by a too-busy-to-talk feeling: Your practitioner may see dozens of patients a day, but your pregnancy is still the most important thing in the world to you. (Of course, you can always change your mind between now and then.). 2015. They can pick up hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests can. She will probably be able to easily tell with a vaginal exam, though. Check for swelling in your hands and feet. What can I expect at an 8 week ultrasound? That Prenatal Visit May Be Months Too Late. But if you're past your due date, your practitioner will probably check your cervix to see if it's softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). In your third trimester (28 weeks through the end of your pregnancy), you'll most likely have a checkup every two weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, then switch to once-a-week visits until you deliver. Recommended Schedule for a Healthy Pregnancy. But don't wait to be asked. When Should You Go To Hospital For Labor? Between 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, you’re usually seen every week. Between 36 and 37 weeks, your practitioner will swab your vagina and rectum to check for a common infection called group B strep. Get a flu shot! Some of these issues will be addressed in your childbirth preparation class, but don't be shy about asking your practitioner to discuss your concerns. If your test is positive, you'll be given antibiotics during labor to help keep you from passing it on to your baby. Measure your fundal height to check baby’s growth. Measure your abdomen, called fundal height to check baby’s growth. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your first OB appointment, generally between 8 and 12 weeks, will include a complete medical history and a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam, breast exam, urine test, pap smear and blood work. 3. And if you haven't found a doctor for your baby, it's time to get started. Listen to your heart and lungs. After your first prenatal visit and until week 28 you should plan to see the doctor once a month. Your healthcare provider (doctor or midwife) will care for you and baby throughout your pregnancy and birth. Your first prenatal visit usually happens around your eighth week of pregnancy. You will probably be seen for your first appointment between 8 and 10 weeks gestation. How soon after a positive pregnancy test should I go to the doctor? Between 40 and 41 weeks, you may get a full biophysical profile or a modified one, which includes a nonstress test to assess your baby's heart rate and an ultrasound to check your amniotic fluid level. (If you do have a pelvic exam late in pregnancy, you might have a little spotting afterward. You might consider prenatal testing, too. Many practitioners don't do them unless they have a specific concern, such as preterm labor or to double check your baby's position (if you're nearing your due date and his position isn't clear from the abdominal exam). The third prenatal visit will likely be around 14 to 16 weeks pregnant. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As you and your healthcare practitioner get to know each other better and as your due date draws near, you can expect a mix of regular physical exams, late-pregnancy tests, and discussions about the coming birth. In this Article In this Article In this Article.