What to Expect at Prenatal Visits

First Obstetrical Visit (8-10 weeks)

Dating ultrasound (may be abdominal or vaginal). This is to confirm your due date. Your due date may be based on your last menstrual period or this ultrasound.

Physical examination (including a pelvic and breast exams).

Labs and bloodwork (Pap test if due, gonorrhea/chlamydia, complete blood count, blood typing, HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, immunity for Rubella and Varicella, urine culture). You may have additional testing if deemed appropriate by your provider.

Family genetic history will be discussed (you and your partner’s).

Genetic screening and carrier screening will be offered and discussed. Genetic screening is nondiagnostic testing, that provides you with either low risk or high risk of conditions such as: Trisomy 21, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, sex chromosome issues, neural tube defects depending on which test you choose.

It may be recommended that you have early glucose testing.

At each visit you will have your weight and blood pressure checked. You will be asked to leave a urine sample that will be tested for protein and glucose.

You will be seen about every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, then every 2 until 36, then every week until you deliver.

Prenatal Visit During Weeks 10-20

Heart tones with doppler.

Anatomy ultrasound will be done between 20-22 weeks. This is the ultrasound where baby’s anatomy is evaluated. You may be able to find out the sex of the baby at this appointment.

Prenatal Visits During Weeks 20-41

Heart tones with Doppler.

Fundal height measuring starts around 22-24 weeks. Your uterus should be around the level of your belly button at 20 weeks, so some providers start measuring at the appointment after this.  You will only have fundal height measurement if you do not have an ultrasound.

Between 24 to 28 weeks, you will have screening for gestational diabetes with a glucose tolerance test. If this is abnormal, it is recommended to have a 3-hour test.

Between 27-36 weeks, the TDap vaccine is recommended. This vaccine is recommended in every pregnancy to help your body pass immunity to your baby to protect against pertussis (whooping cough). It is recommended that you cocoon the baby as well, by making sure partners and close family is up to date on their vaccine as well.

Other vaccines recommended in pregnancy are the flu and COVID vaccines.

At 36 weeks you will have a group beta strep swab. This is an important test that screens for group beta strep bacteria (GBS). It is a normal bacteria that lives in the vaginal-rectal area in about one third of women. If it is positive, it is recommended that you have IV antibiotics in labor. If you are having a cesarean section, your preoperative antibiotics will treat this. This is important for the health of your baby. If they are exposed, they can become very sick. You will also have a complete blood count and syphilis screening. This is recommended to check your hemoglobin levels as you prepare for delivery and recheck for syphilis as the incidence is climbing in Ohio.

You may or may not have a growth ultrasounds or antenatal testing (with non-stress tests or biophysical profile ultrasounds). This is dependent on complications in pregnancy and co-morbid medical conditions.

Some examples of conditions that may indicate need for this include obesity, thyroid disease, hypertension, diabetes, growth restriction in baby, advanced maternal age.