Cassie Health Center for Women

Obstetrics >> Pregnancy: What to Expect

What to Expect

Prenatal visits are scheduled every four weeks in the first and second trimester. From 28 weeks on it is every other week; and from 35 weeks on it is once a week. At each visit, maternal health is evaluated including nutritional status, weight gain, and risks of urinary tract infection, diabetes, and hypertension. Fetal growth and well-being is also followed and prenatal testing and ultrasound are performed as indicated. Typical events to expect during a normal pregnancy course here at Cassie Health Center include:

First Visit
•	Complete history and evaluation of medical, genetic, and perinatal risks.
•	Complete physical exam including Pap and GC/CHL cultures.
•	Schedule for ultrasound for accurate dating of pregnancy.

Second Visit
•	Prenatal labs including Blood Type and RH, Antibody Screen, Complete Blood Count, H.I.V., Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, RPR, and Rubella.
•	Screening for genetic conditions such as sickle cell and cystic fibrosis will also be drawn, if indicated and desired.

12 Weeks to Term
•	Fetal heart tones are detected at each visit.

16-19 Weeks
•	Triscreen for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Neurotube Defects, and Abdominal Wall Defects, if desired.

18 Weeks
•	Amniocentesis, if indicated and desired.

20 Weeks
•	Ultrasound for fetal anatomy. Fetal gender can be determined at this time.

20 Weeks to Delivery
	Abdominal exams are performed for fetal growth and presentation.

28 Weeks
•	Blood Test for Diabetes and Anemia.
•	Rhogam injection, if indicated.
•	Follow-up ultrasound for fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume, if indicated.

28 Weeks to Delivery
•	Non-Stress Test or Biophysical Profile is performed, if indicated, to evaluate fetal well-being.

36 Weeks
•	Group B strep culture.

37 Weeks to Delivery
•	Cervical exam, as indicated.
•	Membrane Stripping can also be performed to facilitate onset of labor.
•	Ultrasound is repeated if fetal growth restriction or excessive weight gain is suspected.