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Pregnancy, Prenatal Visits, and Testing
Pregnancy is a time of change. You, your partner, and loved ones, are entering a new stage in your lives and relationships. When you know or suspect that you are pregnant- we ask that you initiate and receive prenatal care- call your medical provider's office to schedule an appointment.
Prenatal care is the medical care that you receive during your pregnancy. You have options in the type of provider that you would like to see during your pregnancy. A provider may be an obstetrician (OB-GYN), doctor/physician, or certified nurse midwife. Each will guide through your pregnancy, delivery, and following the birth of your baby. The goal is for you to be healthy and safe during your pregnancy- this helps your baby too.
Prenatal appointments are routine during your pregnancy. Toward the end of your pregnancy you will see your healthcare provider more frequently. During these visits, the medical team is performing key assessments of you and your baby, which include monitoring weight gain/loss, blood pressure, blood sugars, signs of infection/illness, pregnancy complications, fetal well-being, and mental health.
Like a pre-pregnancy planning visit, your healthcare provider will want to know about sexually transmitted infections, chronic diseases that you may have, and medications you take. They may also order lab work, urine checks, ultrasounds, or additional testing to assess you and/or your baby throughout your pregnancy.
If you have questions, need information, or want to discuss issues of concern for you, the prenatal appointment is a great time for both you and your healthcare provider.
Learn more about staying healthy during pregnancy, prenatal appointments, and testing at:
For additional information about home pregnancy testing- visit this site: Office on Women's Health: Home pregnancy tests
Growth Throughout Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy is also known as gestation. Healthcare providers track the period of gestation in days, weeks, and months. A term pregnancy lasts 9 calendar months- this is equal to 40 weeks, or 266 days from conception.
We categorize pregnancy in trimesters. During each trimester, your body and the baby are both changing and growing.
Depending on your gestation or timeframe of your pregnancy- your baby, while in your womb, may be referred to as an embryo or fetus.
| Timeframe | What moms may experience: | What is baby doing?
|
First Trimester
Week 1-Week 12 | - Fatigue/tire
- Headaches
- Swollen, tender breasts
- Nausea, heartburn, changes in appetite
- Weight loss, weight gain
- Mood swings
| - The baby growing in your womb is often referred to as an embryo or fetus
- Your baby has a heart/heartbeat, spine, arms, legs, fingers, toes, and an umbilical cord
|
Second Trimester
Week 13-Week 28 | - Nausea, fatigue (might improve)
- Fluttering sensations in your abdomen (baby movements)
- Stretch marks, skin changes, or itching
- Appetite changes
- Weight gain, expanding waistline
| - Nerves, muscles, bones, and tissues are developing
- Can make a fist, sucking motions, hear, and swallow
- Has fingernails and toenails, eyebrows, and eyelashes
- Lungs are formed, but do not work yet
|
Third Trimester
Week 29-Week 40 | - Fetal movement is more noticeable
- Swelling of hands, feet, ankles
- Hemorrhoids, Breast tenderness
- Difficulty sleeping, frequent urination
| - Quickly gaining weight- about ½ pound per week
- Practices breathing movements while lungs continue to develop
- Moves, kicks, and jabs often (LINK Kick Counts)
-
- Moves into positioning for delivery (most are head down)
|
Adapted from: Office of Women's Health, March of Dimes, American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women & Children's Health Care
Changes During Pregnancy (Printable & Accessible Version)
To learn more about the stages of pregnancy, changes to your body, and your baby's growth and development during pregnancy, these resources are available to you:
At some point during your second or third trimester of pregnancy your healthcare provider may ask you to monitor periods of fetal movement. Your healthcare provider will provide you specific information about when and how to monitor for fetal movement. This may also be referred to as doing “kick counts" at home.
Additional information about Kick Counts is available at:
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that women avoid another pregnancy for at least 6 months from the birth of a child. Decision-making about birth spacing is between you and your partner and may involve use of contraception to prevent pregnancy. Your medical provider is a resource to discuss your intentions for birth planning and types of contraception that may be best for you.
Talk to your provider about postpartum contraception during your pregnancy, especially if you are considering a tubal ligation or a long-acting reversible contraceptive method like an intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant. These methods are safe for breastfeeding and effective birth control.
Additional information about contraception, interpregnancy health is available through: March of Dimes: Postpartum birth control
Resources to Support You During Pregnancy (LINK)
It takes a lot of work to grow a baby! You are important- take care of yourself!