What to Expect in Pregnancy

Prenatal Care

One of the first steps toward a healthy pregnancy is scheduling regular prenatal visits with your OB-GYN. These appointments help monitor the well-being of you and your baby, address concerns, and promote a healthy pregnancy.

Expect to have a doctor visit every 2-4 weeks, and then weekly after week 37.

If you are high risk, your doctor may recommend more regular appointments. Women aged 35 or older or those who have chronic health conditions are considered high risk.

Here are general guidelines for when to schedule appointments with your OB-GYN if you are of average risk:

6-10 weeks

As soon as you have a confirmed pregnancy, you should schedule your first prenatal appointment. Your OB-GYN will go over your medical history and lifestyle, your nutrition and exercise routines, and your estimated due date.

They will likely take your blood pressure, urine sample, blood work, and any other recommended screenings needed.

10-12 weeks

This will likely be a routine visit, where your health care team will take your vitals and evaluate the growth of the fetus to ensure proper development.

You may get an ultrasound and hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time .

During this appointment, your doctor may also conduct a nuchal translucency scan, which examines the fluid-filled space behind the baby's neck. This scan is to check for the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, including Down Syndrome.

16-18 weeks

This will be another routine OB-GYN visit, where they will take measurements of the fetus and check in with your health. These routine visits are a great time to ask any questions and start writing your birth plan. 

20-22 weeks

During this visit, you’ll undergo the anatomy scan ultrasound. This scan will measure the baby’s body, check on the organs, and check for health conditions.

Most organs are fully developed at about 10 weeks. This scan ensures the organs are developed and functioning properly. You will also get to find out your baby’s gender during this appointment if you want.

24-28 weeks

As you near your third trimester, your health care team will likely take your blood and urine samples to check for any imbalances, such as an iron deficiency. This may also be the appointment where you complete a glucose test to check for gestational diabetes.

32 weeks

This OB-GYN appointment will be a check-in for you and the baby.

Your health care team will check on the baby’s well-being, how much fluid is in the amniotic sac, and the baby’s weight, movement, and positioning.

Depending on your and the baby’s health, your doctor may suggest a weekly or bi-weekly appointment between this visit and your delivery.

36 weeks

Along with checking your vitals, this OB-GYN appointment will check the baby’s positioning, movement, and growth.

If the baby is not in a head-first position, your doctor may recommend exercises to reposition the baby.

If the baby does not reposition, you may need to discuss a C-section. During this appointment, you will also undergo a pelvic exam and vaginal swab test to check for bacteria that could affect the baby after delivery.

This is a good time to go through the signs of labor, make any needed changes to your birth plan, and walk through the delivery and recovery.

37-Delivery

As you count down the weeks to your due date, you will start weekly appointments with your OB-GYN team.

These will be routine check-ins, ensuring you and your baby are healthy and ready for labor and delivery. They will also do pelvic exams to check for cervix dilation, which could be a sign of early labor.

Exercise While Pregnant

Staying active is beneficial for both your physical and mental health, especially while pregnant. Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga can help maintain your overall health, reduce discomfort, and improve your mood.

Talk to your OB-GYN about what exercises would be best for you and your pregnancy.

Trimester-By-Trimester Expectations

Pregnancy is split up into three stages, called “trimesters.” Each trimester of pregnancy is 12-14 weeks, marking different developmental stages for both mom and baby.

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect in each trimester.

Prepare to Bring Your Baby Home

Although 40 weeks seems like a long time, you’ll be bringing home a newborn before you know it.

Prepare your home for the new life with your baby before the baby arrives. It's a good idea to start preparing before your third trimester. Here are some things to add to your to-do list.

Create a nurturing environment at home for a smooth transition into motherhood. Creating a home that’s safe and healthy for a baby can be a long process, especially if you’re a first-time mom.

Most pregnant women start making changes in their homes in their first and second trimesters when they're most mobile.

As the baby grows, it will be more difficult to get around the house and make these changes.

Here are some things to consider before your baby is born.

Baby-proof your home:

• Put baby gates up on stairs and entryways
• Cover sharp corners with cover guards
• Install door and cabinet locks
• Secure furniture
• Remove or hide cords
• Ensure harmful products are stored in a high, closed cabinet
• Remove choking hazards

Build a crib or bassinet:

Because of the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, most experts recommend room-sharing but not bed-sharing with your newborn.

Your baby should sleep in a crib or bassinet near your bed so you always have easy access to them, especially during the first few months when you will be feeding throughout the night.

Talk to your OB-GYN about their recommendations for how often and where your baby should be sleeping, and for feeding recommendations.

Assemble a nursery space:

Although your baby likely won’t be sleeping in a separate room until they’re at least 6 months old, it’s helpful to have space dedicated to the baby.

Your nursery space may include:

• A changing table
• Diapers
• Diaper trash can
• A mobile cart with nursing and feeding supplies
• Clothing
• A comfortable chair to feed and rock the baby

Promoting a healthy pregnancy is a gift to yourself and to your growing family. By prioritizing your and your baby’s health and well-being, you’re setting the foundation for a positive journey into motherhood.

For additional support and information, consider finding an OB-GYN or enrolling in birthing classes. These resources will provide the personalized care and education you need to navigate this experience with confidence.