4-8 Weeks – OB Confirmation Visit

• This is a nurse visit to review your medical and pregnancy histories.
• Prenatal blood tests are drawn and the results will be discussed with a doctor at your next visit.

8-10 Weeks – New OB Visit

• This is a doctor visit to review your history, your prenatal blood test results, and perform a full physical exam if needed.
• Pap smear, cultures, and urine tests are collected.
• We will also discuss optional testing that helps screen for some birth defects.
• From now on at all visits your weight, blood pressure, and urine will be checked.
• From now on at all visits you will be seen by a doctor or a nurse practitioner.

10-12 Weeks

• An ultrasound is done in the office to confirm your due date.
• Optional testing to help screen for some birth defects may be performed via bloodwork.

16 Weeks

• Visit with Physician. Discuss again optional testing to help screen and blood work for second part of testing.

20-24 Weeks

• Another ultrasound is done after 20 weeks to check the baby’s anatomy and growth, and the gender if you wish.  Some, but not all, birth defects can be detected with the ultrasound.  This will be the last ultrasound in your pregnancy if your pregnancy progresses normally.
• From now on, your uterus will be measured to approximate the baby’s growth.

26-28 Weeks

• A gestational diabetes screening test (1-hour glucose tolerance test, or GTT) is performed.  Your blood is drawn 1 hour after you finish drinking a sugary drink to check your glucose level.  If your glucose level is high, you will need to have an additional test (a 3-hour GTT) to determine if you have gestational diabetes.
• Your blood will also be checked to screen for anemia and for syphilis.
• If your blood type is Rh negative, you will receive a Rhogam injection.
• Now is the time to consider childbirth education and hospital tours and register for them if you’d like.

30-34 Weeks

• Routine visits with the physicians

35-37 Weeks

• A group B strep (GBS) screening test is performed, in which a swab around the vagina and rectum will check for the presence of the group B strep bacteria.  This bacteria is present on the skin of approximately 1/3 of women.  It does not usually cause an infection in adults, but can cause serious infections in newborns.  You will be given antibiotics through an IV in labor if the GBS test is positive.
• We will also check your cervix to see if it has started to dilate and to check the baby’s position.

38-40 Weeks

• Routine visits with the physicians and check the cervix.