Regular antenatal visits are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Never skip appointments – they save lives.
Why Antenatal Care Matters
Regular check-ups throughout pregnancy:
- Monitor your health and baby’s growth
- Detect problems early
- Prevent complications
- Provide education and support
- Screen for conditions like GDM and pre-eclampsia
- Build relationship with healthcare team
Women who receive regular antenatal care have better pregnancy outcomes.
Minimum Visit Requirements
You need at least 12+ visits during pregnancy:
- More visits if you’re high-risk
- More frequent as pregnancy progresses
- Never miss appointments
Each visit is important – problems can develop quickly in pregnancy.
Complete Antenatal Visit Schedule
First Trimester: Weeks 1-12
Every 4 weeks
First Visit (8-10 weeks):
- Confirmation of pregnancy
- Full medical history
- Physical examination
- Blood pressure
- Weight and BMI
- Blood tests (CBC, blood type, Rh, infections)
- Booking ultrasound
- Start prenatal vitamins (if not already)
- Discuss lifestyle and diet
- Calculate due date
Subsequent Visits (Week 12):
- Blood pressure and weight
- Urine test (protein and sugar)
- Check baby’s heartbeat (Doppler)
- Address any concerns
- NT scan around 11-13 weeks
Second Trimester: Weeks 13-28
Every 4 weeks
Typical visits:
- Blood pressure
- Weight gain monitoring
- Urine test
- Measure fundal height (from week 20)
- Listen to baby’s heartbeat
- Check for swelling
- Discuss symptoms
- Answer questions
Special tests this trimester:
- Triple marker test (15-20 weeks)
- Anomaly scan (18-20 weeks)
- Glucose tolerance test (24-28 weeks)
Visits: Weeks 16, 20, 24, 28
Third Trimester: Weeks 29-40
Weeks 29-36: Every 2 weeks
Weeks 37-40: Every week
What happens at these visits:
- Blood pressure (watching for pre-eclampsia)
- Weight
- Urine test (protein important now)
- Fundal height (baby’s growth)
- Baby’s heartbeat
- Baby’s position (after week 32)
- Check for swelling
- Discuss birth plan
- Signs of labor education
Special tests:
- Growth scan (32-36 weeks)
- Group B Strep screening (vaginal swab around 36 weeks)
- Non-stress test if needed
- Biophysical profile if needed
- Pelvic exam (after 38 weeks)
What Happens at Each Visit
Standard Checks
Every visit includes:
Blood Pressure:
- Normal: Below 140/90
- Monitors for pre-eclampsia
- Sudden increase is warning sign
Weight:
- Track healthy weight gain
- Expected total: 10-12.5 kg (22-26 lbs)
- Too much or too little flagged
Urine Sample:
- Tests for protein (pre-eclampsia indicator)
- Tests for sugar (diabetes screening)
- Tests for infection
Fundal Height (after 20 weeks):
- Measured from pubic bone to top of uterus
- Roughly equals weeks of pregnancy (28 weeks ≈ 28 cm)
- Monitors baby’s growth
Baby’s Heartbeat:
- Checked with Doppler (after 12 weeks)
- Normal rate: 120-160 beats per minute
- Most reassuring sound you’ll hear!
Questions and Discussion
Each visit includes time to:
- Ask questions
- Discuss symptoms
- Address concerns
- Review test results
- Get education
- Plan next steps
Prepare questions beforehand – write them down so you don’t forget.
Special High-Risk Visits
More frequent visits if you have:
- Gestational diabetes (weekly after diagnosis)
- Pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
- Previous preterm birth
- Placenta problems
- Baby growth concerns
- You’re over 35 or under 18
- Chronic health conditions
Follow your doctor’s recommendations – extra visits are for safety.
What to Bring to Appointments
Every visit:
- Your pregnancy notes/records
- List of questions
- Current medications list
- Urine sample (if requested)
- Partner or support person (optional but nice)
First visit also bring:
- Medical history
- Previous pregnancy records
- Family health history
- Insurance information
Questions to Ask at Key Visits
First Visit
- When is my due date?
- Which tests do I need?
- What symptoms are normal vs. concerning?
- What medications and supplements should I take?
- What lifestyle changes should I make?
- When will I see baby on ultrasound?
Second Trimester Visits
- Are my weight gain and baby’s growth normal?
- When will I feel baby move?
- What were my screening test results?
- Should I take childbirth classes?
- What exercise is safe?
- Any diet changes needed?
Third Trimester Visits
- Is baby in right position?
- What are signs of labor?
- When should I go to hospital?
- What’s my birth plan?
- Do I need Group B Strep antibiotics?
- Can I work until due date?
Never Skip Appointments – Here’s Why
Early Detection Saves Lives
Skipping visits means missing:
- Pre-eclampsia (can be fatal)
- Gestational diabetes (treatable)
- Baby growth problems
- Infections
- Placenta problems
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
Many serious conditions have no symptoms – only detected through routine checks.
Real Consequences
Women who skip antenatal care have:
- Higher rates of pregnancy complications
- Increased preterm birth
- Higher maternal mortality
- More birth complications
- Babies with more health problems
Your appointments protect both you and your baby.
What If You Miss an Appointment?
Call immediately to reschedule.
Don’t wait for next scheduled visit – some checks are time-sensitive.
If you miss due to:
- Transportation: Ask about home visits or assistance programs
- Work conflict: Your employer must allow time for appointments
- Cost concerns: Free antenatal care often available
- Fear or anxiety: Talk to your healthcare provider
There’s always a solution. Make your health a priority.
Between-Visit Warning Signs
Call your doctor immediately if:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe headache
- Vision changes (spots, blurriness)
- Sudden severe swelling (face, hands, feet)
- No fetal movement (after feeling baby move)
- Fluid leaking from vagina
- Signs of infection (fever, burning urination)
- Severe vomiting (can’t keep anything down)
- Feeling faint or dizzy
Don’t wait for next appointment if something feels wrong.
Building Relationship with Your Healthcare Team
These regular visits help you:
- Get comfortable with your care team
- Feel confident asking questions
- Understand what’s normal
- Prepare for labor and delivery
- Feel supported throughout pregnancy
Your healthcare providers want to help – use them as a resource.
Remember
Attending every antenatal appointment is one of the most important things you can do for a healthy pregnancy and baby.
These visits aren’t optional – they’re essential.
Mark them in your calendar now. Treat them as non-negotiable. Your baby depends on it.