In addition to all the fun stuff that goes along with being a mom-to-be, like picking out a name and the perfect paint color for baby’s nursery, make sure you’ve set up a prenatal appointment schedule. Regular visits to an OB/GYN, midwife or family doctor trained in obstetrics ensure that everything is as expected and they can help spot any health issues early on, when complications are easier to treat.
To help you prepare for your upcoming prenatal care visits, here’s a look at when these appointments are usually set up and what happens at each one as well as a list of the kinds of tests you’ll typically be given. Be sure each appointment is on your calendar and try not to skip a single one (they’re all important!).
And keep in mind that you don’t have to attend these appointments alone. Your partner, a friend or family member is welcome to join you for support, to ask questions and share concerns with the health care provider.
Typical prenatal appointment schedule
The number of visits you’ll have in a typical pregnancy usually total about 10 to 15, depending on when you find out you’re expecting and the timing of your first checkup. In most complication-free pregnancies, you can expect to have a prenatal appointment with the following frequency:
- Weeks 4 to 28: Once a month
- Weeks 28 to 36: Every other week
- Week 36 until birth: Every week
The frequency of prenatal appointments increases in the third trimester because certain pregnancy complications like preeclampsia are more likely to appear then. Issues with your baby’s growth also tend to show up later in pregnancy, so your practitioner will also want to measure your weight, belly size and other factors more frequently in the last trimester.
