Prenatal Appointments + Milestones: A Guide

Mid-Michigan Moms is thrilled to partner with McLaren Lapeer Region and McLaren Flint to bring you Navigating Your Pregnancy, an editorial series event. In this installment of our Editorial Series Collection, McLaren, and the #MidMichiganMoms team share fifteen different posts addressing all aspects of life as a pregnant woman. From humor to stories of perseverance, no topic is left off the table. Tune in, learn, share, and join the conversation!

You’ve got a positive pregnancy test, so what’s next?? Appointments, blood draws, milestones, check-ups, and more! Pull our your planner and get ready to make room for baby.

Prior to becoming pregnant, I would have never guessed there were so many appointments, milestones, ultrasounds, blood draws, and check-ups squeezed within the handful of months before the baby arrives. To help those that are newly pregnant or curious as to what to expect from a typical pregnancy – read on!

Typically, one can expect to have a total of between eight and fourteen prenatal appointments.

  • First Trimester {the time period from your last menstrual period up to 14 weeks pregnant}
    • On average, you will have your first prenatal appointment between six and eight weeks after your last menstrual period.
      • At this appointment, your doctor or midwife will discuss your personal and family medical history, any past pregnancies, medication use, lifestyle choices, vaccination history, determine a due date, perform a physical, collect a blood sample, and discuss typical changes you could expect early in your pregnancy. At this appointment, you may also have the chance to take a peek inside with an ultrasound.
      • At this appointment and all future prenatal visits, your urine will be collected to check for infections, diabetes, dehydration, and other conditions. {You can read more on urine tests here.}
      • To prepare for this visit, consider recording a list of questions as they come to mind so you don’t forget them once your appointment date rolls around. Wear comfy clothes, and drink a bit of water in preparation to provide a urine sample.
    • After your first prenatal appointment, you will have appointments every four weeks.
    • Between 11 and 14 weeks pregnant, you may have a first-trimester screening – which consists of an ultrasound and blood draw – to assess for chromosomal conditions. At this appointment, you may also get a sneak peek at the baby and be able to hear its heartbeat {eek!}.
  • Second Trimester {15 weeks to 27 weeks pregnant}
    • You will continue to visit your doctor or midwife every four weeks.
    • At approximately 18-20 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound will be performed to measure and assess your baby’s growth and development. If you choose, and the baby is cooperating, you may be able to learn your baby’s gender.
    • Around 20 weeks pregnant, your provider will also begin using a measuring device to measure your belly as an easy and non-invasive way to assess your fundal height and baby’s size.
    • Between 26 and 28 weeks, you’ll have a Glucose Challenge Test to check for gestational diabetes. If at a previous blood draw, you were found to be Rh-negative, you will also receive an injection to prevent future complications.
  • Third Trimester {28 weeks – through delivery}
    • Starting at 28 weeks pregnant, you will begin to visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. The frequency of visits will increase as your pregnancy progresses, to keep a close on your and baby’s growth and development.
    • At 36 weeks pregnant, you will typically have prenatal visits weekly. Depending on your pregnancy and baby’s situation, you may at this time also receive an individualized frequency of appointments, additional ultrasounds, Non-Stress Tests, procedures, or tests.

Pregnancy and prenatal care can be overwhelming at times but know that you are not alone. Keep a list of questions as they come to mind and feel free to ask your health care provider any and all questions – even the ones that seem silly or unimportant. Know that no two pregnancies are identical and the care that you receive could be different from others. Sit back, enjoy your pregnancy, and count down the days until your little one arrives!

Are you looking for an Obstetrician or Midwife? McLaren Flint and McLaren Lapeer Region have a bounty of amazing professionals to choose from.
Find one here utilizing McLaren’s Physician Directory.

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To read more from our 2020 editorial series, ‘Navigating Your Pregnancy’, click here.

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Hey! I'm Lyndsey one of the co-owners of Mid-Michigan Moms. I was born and raised in Omaha, NE and in my life before becoming a work/homeschool/stay-at-home mom was a critical care nurse and nurse educator. After unforgettable adventures in California and Texas, our family moved to my husband’s home state of Michigan. My husband, three kids, and a naughty yellow lab are now loving our chaotic, rural living-life. I love traveling, balancing no less than 12 DIY projects at once, chocolate, cooking, daiquiris, and a sunny day in the 70s at the lake.