How many ob appointments during pregnancy

You can even bring the item itself — or a picture of the label — with you to your next appointment. Then, your doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner can read the label and let you know whether it's okay to ingest.

Of course, if you have any pressing questions or worries, or develop any new, unusual, or severe symptoms , don't wait for your appointment — call your practitioner right away. In addition to your list, you may want to bring a partner, friend, family member, or labor coach with you to some or all of your prenatal visits. They can comfort you, take notes, ask questions, and help you remember important information. The goal of prenatal visits is to see how your pregnancy is proceeding and to provide you with information to help keep you and your baby healthy.

It's important that you go to all of your prenatal appointments, even if you're feeling just fine and believe that everything is progressing perfectly. Your practitioner will start by asking how you're feeling physically and emotionally, whether you have any complaints or worries, and what questions you may have.

They'll also ask you about your baby's movements once you begin to feel them, typically during the second trimester. Your practitioner will have other questions as well, which will vary depending on how far along you are and whether there are specific concerns.

Near the end of your pregnancy, your provider may also do a pelvic exam to check for cervical changes. You will also discuss your delivery plan in more depth.

At the end of each visit, your practitioner will review their findings with you. They'll also explain the normal changes to expect before your next visit, warning signs to watch for, and the pros and cons of optional tests you may want to consider.

Lifestyle issues will likely be a topic of discussion, as well. Expect to talk about the importance of good nutrition , sleep, oral health, stress management, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding tobacco , alcohol , and illicit drugs. Many people look forward to their prenatal appointments but are disappointed to find that, with the exception of the first visit, they're in and out of the office in 10 minutes.

A quick visit is typical and is usually a sign that everything is progressing normally. Still, you want to make sure your concerns are addressed — and that you and your baby are being well cared for. Keep in mind, too, that some days are busier than others.

That doesn't mean your practitioner doesn't have to answer your questions, but sometimes a discussion can be continued at the next visit if it's a really busy day or if your practitioner needs to head to the hospital to deliver a baby. At the same time, don't tolerate a healthcare practitioner who won't give you thorough answers, doesn't show reasonable compassion, or barely looks up from your chart. You and your baby deserve more than that.

Now that you know what to expect during all those prenatal visits, you might like a sneak peek at what else is in store. Here's an overview of the next nine months. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.

When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Your visits to the doctor are on the shorter side during the second trimester, but these prenatal appointments still include a check of your weight, urine and blood pressure. Some prenatal screenings or tests may be offered now, including those for genetic or chromosomal disorders. In addition to asking about all the changes your body is going through, what to expect each month and during labor and delivery, you should also feel free to share any concerns you have with your doctor or midwife.

What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Your Guide to Prenatal Appointments.

Medically Reviewed by Mark Payson, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. You probably have a lot of questions about your pregnancy, and your first prenatal visit is a great time to get a lot of questions answered. What should be on your list to ask? For uncomplicated pregnancies, you should expect to see your provider every four weeks through 28 weeks.

Between 28 and 36 weeks, expect to see your doctor every two weeks. From 36 weeks to delivery, expect to see your provider weekly. Each check up will include a weight check, blood pressure check, and chance to listen to the fetal heartbeat. The fetal heartbeat is usually first detectable with a hand-held doppler between 10 and 12 weeks. Remember, this is a general guide. In addition to routine check ups, some of your prenatal appointments will include health screenings.

You can find out the sex of the baby at this appointment. During the third trimester, prenatal care might include vaginal exams to check the baby's position. Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, especially as your due date approaches. Your health care provider might ask you to schedule prenatal care appointments during your third trimester about every 2 or 4 weeks, depending on your health and pregnancy history.

Starting at 36 weeks, you'll need weekly checkups until you deliver. You'll be asked if you have any signs or symptoms, including contractions and leakage of fluid or bleeding. Your health care provider will check your blood pressure and weight gain, as well as your baby's heartbeat and movements. Your health care provider might ask you to track of how often you feel the baby move on a daily basis — and to alert your health care team if the baby stops moving as much as usual.

Also, talk to your health care provider about any vaccinations you might need, including the flu shot and the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis Tdap vaccine. Ideally, the Tdap vaccine should be given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Expect to be screened for group B streptococcus GBS during the third trimester.

GBS is a common bacterium often carried in the intestines or lower genital tract that's usually harmless in adults. But babies who become infected with GBS from exposure during vaginal delivery can become seriously ill.

To screen for GBS , your health care provider will swab your lower vagina and anal area. The sample will be sent to a lab for testing. If the sample tests positive for GBS — or you previously gave birth to a baby who developed GBS disease — you'll be given intravenous antibiotics during labor. The antibiotics will help protect your baby from the bacterium. Near the end of pregnancy, your health care provider might check to see if your baby is positioned headfirst in the uterus.

If your baby is positioned rump-first frank breech or feet-first complete breech after week 36 of pregnancy, it's unlikely that the baby will move to a headfirst position before labor.