WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Understanding Prenatal Appointments

Understanding Prenatal Appointments
Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, but it also requires careful monitoring to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby.
Here's what expecting mothers can typically anticipate in terms of prenatal appointments.
First Trimester: Establishing the Foundation
Initial Appointment (6-8 Weeks)
  • What to Expect: This is usually the first prenatal visit and may include a pregnancy confirmation through a urine or blood test, a complete physical exam, and a detailed medical history review.
  • Key Tests: Early ultrasound scans, blood tests, and discussions about lifestyle, diet, and medications are common.
Follow-up Visits (Monthly)
  • Routine Checks: These appointments typically involve checking the mother's weight, blood pressure, and other vital signs. The baby's heartbeat might be heard for the first time around 10-12 weeks.
Second Trimester: Tracking Growth and Development
Routine Visits (Every 4 Weeks)
  • Growth Monitoring: The doctor checks the growth of the fetus, the height of the uterine fundus, and the mother's overall health.
  • Anatomy Ultrasound (18-22 Weeks): This important scan checks the baby’s development, including the brain, heart, kidneys, and limbs.
Third Trimester: Preparing for Birth
Increased Visit Frequency (Every 2-3 Weeks, then Weekly)
  • Weeks 29-36: The appointments become more frequent. They may include tests for gestational diabetes, anemia, and Group B strep.
  • Weeks 36 to Delivery: Weekly visits are now typical. These may include pelvic exams to check for signs of labor readiness, such as dilation or effacement of the cervix.
What If You Have a High-Risk Pregnancy?
  • More Frequent Monitoring: If there are risk factors like pre-existing medical conditions, previous pregnancy complications, or age-related risks, more frequent visits may be necessary.
  • Specialized Tests: Depending on the risk factors, additional ultrasounds, non-stress tests, or biophysical profiles might be recommended.
The Importance of Prenatal Appointments
  • Tracking Baby’s Growth: Regular appointments ensure the baby's growth and development are on track.
  • Monitoring Mother’s Health: These visits allow healthcare providers to monitor the mother's health, manage any pregnancy-related conditions, and provide guidance on nutrition and lifestyle.
  • Addressing Concerns: Prenatal visits are opportunities to discuss any concerns or questions, making them crucial for the mother’s peace of mind.
Adhering to the recommended schedule of prenatal appointments is vital for a healthy pregnancy.
While the journey to motherhood is unique for each woman, regular check-ups provide a framework for ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and baby.
M
Miha
8 Feb 2024

Hi I went to the hospital to confirm my pregnancy.. they have me a paper to get some prenatal and I went to cvs to get the prenatal recommended on my paper and the workers gave me these.. I’m currently 5 weeks and can’t go to any appointments until I am atleast 8 weeks… what do you guys think? Is it healthy for my baby?? This is my first pregnancy ever so I am very confused.. #firsttimemom #momtobe #tips #advice

1 comments
I
Izzy
Prenatals are the best thing for your baby. You want it to contain folic acid and iron for some because most moms figure out that they are deficient later on. Stay hydrated
27 Mar 2024

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Zay
22 Sep 2023

Ladies when you go into your prenatal appointments what’s the process? Do they do a full work up or is it a listen to baby’s heart and send you home kind of thing? Wanna make sure I’m not tripping.

5 comments
P
Princia
Yes they usually take urine , listen to heart beat, check blood pressure, check weight than answer any of my questions than I’m done . As you get closer to your due day I’ve been told they check dilation .
27 Mar 2024

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Zay
I’m 33 weeks and they do nothing , they check my weight and blood pressure check the heart beat and send me home, they don’t even give me a chance to express concerns and when I do they seem annoyed to listen
27 Mar 2024

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💙DeAnna💙Boy Mom👦🏽👦🏽👦🏽
13 Jun 2023

Lort 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ the way some ppl come out the house to their prenatal appointments 😲😲. Trust me I get it but you ain’t gotta look like you literally rolled out the bed and got straight in the car. Im sorry y’all I be struggling to get myself together but I refuse to look how I feel.

15 comments
V
Victoria
Chile I definitely agree I den seen it all 😅
27 Mar 2024

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💙DeAnna💙Boy Mom👦🏽👦🏽👦🏽💙
Girl they be bra-less with bonnets and pajamas on. One barely had on any clothes hair was all over her head 🤦🏽‍♀️
27 Mar 2024

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💙DeAnna💙Boy Mom👦🏽👦🏽👦🏽
9 May 2023

Well got an ultrasound appointment today. So me and the hubs are up and getting ready to head out. Then we go back for another Ultrasound Thursday 😩😩.. My ultrasound appointments are every Tuesday and Thursday now, with my prenatal appointments every other Tuesday. We can’t wait to have you in our arms baby boy in 7 weeks or less… Mama just tired but I want you to keep growing so you can be ready when the time comes.

4 comments
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💙DeAnna💙Boy Mom👦🏽👦🏽👦🏽💙
Thank you luv 😘😘
27 Mar 2024

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C
Carm
15 Apr 2023

Is it bad that I’m no longer excited to go to my prenatal appointments? Only time I got an ultrasound picture I could take home Jan 11th doctors piling appointments on me && I never get to see him on the ultrasound only hear the heartbeat 😕 I’m 24wks&3 days they took my blood to get the gender

5 comments
S
Savanna
If you’re not a high risk pregnancy and everything fine is with your baby, you will only get 2 ultrasounds the whole pregnancy. One in the beginning and one for the anatomy.
27 Mar 2024

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S
Savanna
Everything is fine* however you can pay to get 2D/3D/4D pictures done but those are better to get around 32-36 weeks
27 Mar 2024

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Heather
23 Mar 2023

Hoping someone might have some advice. I had to quit my job so I lost my insurance. I applied for pregnancy Medicaid does anyone know how long before I hear back if I’m approved or not? I feel terrible about missing prenatal appointments and all of this is really stressful.

4 comments
J
Janelle
it all depends on where you live as far as city and state.. I’m in NJ &’ to be honest it’s based off the county
27 Mar 2024

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Asia
For some reason In Florida they always send me a gold Medicaid card when they find out I’m pregnant and when she is born I just sign her up with the same insurance that me and my kids have but it shouldn’t take too long
27 Mar 2024

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Ambria
10 Jan 2023

Idk if the secretary at my prenatal visit was trying to be funny..But why did she tell me “in case dcf calls, I just need something to write on paper to why you’ve missed and rescheduled two appointments” I wanted to really TURN THE FUCK UP but I remained calm because I’m a black mother .. I couldn’t believe her!!!

12 comments
L
Leah
They call them ? If u miss doctors appointments
27 Mar 2024

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A
A’kari Momma💙
I would report her dumb ass that’s not even funny. I’m sure she not saying that to nobody else. Since when do they get involved for missing appointments. I’ve never heard of no shit like that 😒.
27 Mar 2024

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Adriana
30 Dec 2022

My prenatal appointments keep getting switched canceled pushed back it’s all so annoying specially working full time 😩 the perks of living in a small town and not having many delivering doctors in this town 😩

1 comments

T
Tiye
6 Dec 2022

What happens at prenatal appointments? I have one upcoming next week doc did not schedule an ultrasound cause I had one at 5,7&9 weeks I need to hear my baby’s heartbeat lol

8 comments
C
Ciara
When I went to my first one Friday they asked me how I was doing and have I felt the baby moving yet and they listened to baby’s heartbeat.
27 Mar 2024

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Amber
Measures your tummy listen to baby heart beats check blood pressure pulse ect just do check up
27 Mar 2024

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D
Delta
12 May 2022

How can you want to cum in someone but not want to come to the prenatal doc appointments? 🤔 #dad #couplelife

14 comments
C
Courtney
Mines tried that one time and I put his ass on punishment for 3 weeks now he be ready for the doctors appointments before I do
27 Mar 2024

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