Prenatal visits

Understanding the schedule of your provider visits and what they entail will help you achieve a healthy pregnancy.

Your weight and blood pressure will be checked at each appointment. Your provider will measure your abdomen to check your baby’s growth, listen to the baby’s heart rate, and examine you for any signs of health problems. Later in your pregnancy, your provider will determine your baby’s position by checking your abdomen. And you will receive prenatal education at each visit.

Your first trimester

Visit 1—weeks 4-9
  • Clinic tests will confirm a positive home pregnancy test
  • You may receive a prescription for prenatal vitamins
  • Your provider will calculate your estimated due date and schedule a dating ultrasound if needed
  • Your provider will talk about lifestyle factors, including foods to avoid, medication use, exercise, activities, stress, caffeine, exposure to toxic substances, smoking, drinking, and recreational drug use
  • You’ll receive an introduction to our breastfeeding and prenatal classes, as well as to resources including WIC, Kanbec County Public Health, and the Beginnings Book
Visit 2—weeks 10-12
  • You’ll be offered genetic screening (Progenity), and may be given diagnostic tests
  • You may be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat
  • You’ll receive a full physical with laboratory tests
  • You and your partner will be encouraged to sign up for monthly prenatal classes.

Your second trimester

Visit 3—weeks 15-16
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 4—weeks 19-20
  • Ultrasound to check for physical development, screen for possible abnormalities, and confirm official due date
  • Flu vaccination
Visit 5—week 24
  • Regular check-up appointment, including a diabetes test
Lactation counseling—weeks 20-30
  • If desired, a visit with the clinic Lactation Counselor for breastfeeding education

Your third trimester

Visit 6—week 28
  • Regular check-up appointment
  • Birthing plan of care is discussed
  • Tdap immunization is administered
Visit 7—week 32
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 8—week 34
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 9—week 36
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 10—week 37
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 11—week 38
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 12—week 39
  • Regular check-up appointment
Visit 13—week 40
  • Regular check-up appointment and preparation for delivery

 

This is a timeline for what is considered a normal, non-high-risk pregnancy. Specific recommendations and referrals will be determined by your provider.

Learn more about the stages of labor >