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Most women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be examined:
- Every 4 weeks for the first 32 weeks,
- Every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks and
- Weekly from 37 weeks to delivery.
Women with medical or obstetric problems may need to go to the doctor more often. The visits you should have during your pregnancy will be determined by your needs and risks.
Below are guidelines for doctors' visits for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Click here for a pdf of the guidelines.
| Initial (as early as possible) |
At the first prenatal visit, the doctor or nurse will obtain information about the patient's last menstrual period, current pregnancy and past pregnancy/delivery history, medical and social history, a dietary assessment, physical findings, estimated date of delivery (EDD), and laboratory tests (including HIV screening).
- Hemoglobin or hematocrit measurement
- Urine culture
- Blood group and Rh type determinations
- Antibody screen
- Rubella antibody titer measurement
- Syphilis screen
- Cervical cytology
- Hepatitis B virus screen
- Testing for sexually transmitted disease and HIV
- Cystic Fibrosis screen
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| Prenatal Visits |
- Blood pressure measurement
- Urinalysis for glucose/albumin
- Weight measurement and total weight gain
- Fetal movement
- Evaluation of edema (swelling)
- Measurement of fundal height
- Evaluation of fetal heart tones and rate
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| At 8-18 weeks |
- Ultrasound
- Amniocentesis, if needed
- Chorionic villus sampling, if needed
- Offer nuchal translucency screening (between 10-13 wks), if needed
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| At 16-18 weeks |
- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein
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| At 28 weeks |
- Repeat antibody test for unsensitized Rh-negative patients
- Prophylactic administration of Rho(D) immunoglobulin
- Fetal movement counting instruction
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| At 32-36 weeks |
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| Patient Education and Information Ongoing |
Counseling is an ongoing and continuous process throughout the prenatal period. These items should be addressed as early as possible during prenatal care and continually reassessed.
- Signs and symptoms to be reported to the physician
- Timing of subsequent visits
- Educational programs (Childbirth education)
- Epidural/pain medicine available during delivery
- Balanced nutrition, ideal caloric intake and weight gain, vitamins, folic acid, calcium intake
- Use of seat belts
- Home safety
- Infant safety seats
- Over the counter drug use
- Safety-Domestic Violence, Psychological Stress
- Exercise and daily activity
- Hazards of smoking/alcohol/drug consumption
- Breast feeding
- Postpartum care
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Care After Your Baby is Born
Your baby needs to see the pediatrician 2 weeks after birth. Also, mom needs to have a follow-up exam with the obstetrician about 4-8 weeks after delivery. The exam should include:
| 21-56 days following delivery |
Weight, blood pressure, breasts, abdomen, pelvic exam, patient concerns, family spacing and signs of depression
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