The Ultimate Guide To Pre & Postnatal Appointments (Plus Downloadable Notes)
We’re sharing our Ultimate Guide To Pre & Postnatal Appointments so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way. Plus, we’ve got a downloadable appointment notes page for you — so you never miss a thing and have a nice keepsake to look back on your journey. Let’s get straight into it.
A guide to your prenatal appointments, by trimester
Your prenatal appointments will vary based on where you live and your specific pregnancy – for example, you may have more appointments if you’re considered high-risk or have had complications in a previous pregnancy. Typically, you’ll have between 10-15 appointments during your pregnancy and if your pregnancy is free of complications, then you might expect the following:
Trimesters 1&2 (weeks 4-28): 1 appointment per month
For most of your 3rd trimester (weeks 29-36): 1 appointment every 2 weeks
Weeks 36 up until birth: 1 appointment every week
What happens at prenatal appointments?
During your prenatal appointments, you’ll have health checks and be given information about you and your pregnancy. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
There are certain tests and checks that will happen at most, if not all, of your prenatal appointments.
Your blood pressure will be checked
You’ll be weighed
Your doctor will want to make sure that baby is growing well & your progress is on track.
Your doctor will check the size of your uterus
As your doctor is checking on baby’s growth, they’ll check the size of your uterus either vaginally or via ultrasound.
You’ll give a urine sample
A urine sample allows your doctor to check for too much protein (a sign of preeclampsia) or too much sugar (a sign of gestational diabetes).
Which prenatal appointment can I hear baby’s heartbeat?
Listening to baby’s heartbeat is such a special moment – and one you’ll be waiting for! At 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, just as you enter your second trimester, our doctor can use a doppler monitor so you can hear baby’s heartbeat! After week 20, you might even be able to hear baby’s heartbeat through a stethoscope!
Which prenatal appointment will have my first scan?
In the UK (through the NHS), you’ll be offered at least 2 ultrasound scans during your pregnancy. The first will be anywhere from 20 to 14 weeks and the second will happen between 18 and 21 weeks.
During your first scan, your sonographer will estimate when your baby is due based on their size and measurements. The second ultrasound scan will check for physical conditions in your baby.
Scans usually last around 20-30 minutes but if baby is lying in an awkward position or trying to hide, then they can take a little longer or have to be repeated another day to get a good picture.
A guide to prenatal appointments in your first trimester
At all of your prenatal appointments, you’ll have the standard test we mentioned above, but here’s a guide to the extra things you can expect at each of your first trimester prenatal appointments…
As soon as you know that you’re pregnant:
The first time you contact your midwife or doctor should be as soon as possible after you find out that you’re pregnant. They’ll give you some information about supplements, nutrition, and diet, as well as discuss any lifestyle factors that you might need to consider. They’ll also talk you through some antenatal tests that you’ll need to be aware of.
At this stage, it’s important to discuss any potential risk factors for your pregnancy, such as complications with previous pregnancies or births, family health conditions and health history of you and your partner, and genetic carriers such as sickle cell or thalassaemia.
Your prenatal appointment at weeks 8-12 of pregnancy
When you’re at around weeks 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, you’ll have what’s known as a “booking appointment”, where your health care provider will talk you through baby’s development, your health and nutrition during pregnancy, future appointments, and tests you’ll be offered.
Your prenatal appointment at weeks 8-12 of pregnancy
During weeks 8-14 of pregnancy, you’ll have your first ultrasound to estimate when baby is due & check their physical development. It’s also the time when you’ll screen for possible conditions such as Down Syndrome.
Your guide to prenatal appointments in your second trimester
Along with all of the routine checks and test we mentioned above, here’s what you can expect at each prenatal appointment in your second trimester:
Your prenatal appointment at week 16 of pregnancy
When you’re 16 weeks pregnant, you’ll discuss and review any screening tests and results, measure blood pressure and your doctor or midwife will give you a general check.
Your prenatal appointment at weeks 18-20 of pregnancy
At 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, you’ll get your second ultrasound which checks the physical development of baby.
If this is your first baby, you’ll have a scan at 25 weeks pregnant.
At this appointment, your midwife will measure the size of your uterus and check your blood pressure as well as protein levels in your urine.
Prenatal appointments in your third trimester
You can still expect to get the routine tests at each appointment in your third trimester, and you’ll notice that the frequency of appointments increases as your due date gets closer. That’s because certain pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia are more likely. Your doctor will also be keeping an eye on baby’s weight & growth, as well as other factors.
Here’s what you can expect at each prenatal appointment in your third trimester:
Your prenatal appointment at week 28 of pregnancy
At 28 weeks pregnant, your doctor or midwife will measure your stomach with a tape measure. Check your blood pressure and test your urine, and offer more screening tests.
If this is your first baby, you’ll have an appointment at 31 weeks. At this check-up you’ll talk through any results and screenings that have come in since the last check, as well as routine checks of uterus size, blood pressure, and a urine check.
Your prenatal appointment at 34 weeks: it’s time to prep for the birth
At 34 weeks, your midwife or doctor should give you information about preparing for labor and birth. They’ll talk about how to recognize that you’ve gone into labor, cope with pain, and think about your birth plan (keep your eyes peeled because we’ll have our printable birth plan out later this month!).
You might also discuss c-section birth f you haven’t already. Read our post: 9 Things No One Tells You About C-Section Recovery to get prepped ahead of this discussion!
Your prenatal appointment at week 36 of pregnancy
At 36 weeks, you’ll talk about breastfeeding, caring for your newborn baby, screenings for baby once they’re here and your own health and recovery after baby is born.
Your prenatal appointment at week 38 of pregnancy
At 38 weeks, it’s time to think about what happens if baby is a little late, so you’ll discuss options and choices you’ll have if your pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks.
If it’s your first baby, you’ll have another appointment at week 40 weeks of pregnancy.
At your 40 week appointment, you’ll discuss more options and possibilities for baby coming late.
Your prenatal appointments at weeks 41 and 42 of pregnancy
When you reach weeks 41 & 42 of pregnancy, you’ll likely be offered a membrane sweep and discuss possible options for the induction of labor. If you elect not to be induced, you should be offered increased monitoring of the baby.
Your Printable Pre & Postnatal appointment notes
Here’s our printable appointment notes that works for both your pre and postnatal appointments! We recommend recording any questions you have before your appointment, writing down what your doctor says (baby brain is real!), and making notes of anything else you want to remember. It can also be a nice keepsake after baby is here, so you can look back on your journey.
A guide to your postnatal appointments
After you leave the hospital, you’ll likely only have one standard appointment and check-up at 6 weeks after birth. It’s important to remember that you can speak with your doctor about any concerns ahead of this.
Your 6 week postnatal check
Around 6 weeks after baby is born, you should have your postnatal check to make sure you feel well and are recovering properly. Your baby will also have a heck up to see how they are developing, feeding, and growing.
At the 6 week check, you’ll be able to talk to your doctor about your emotions and how you’re feeling – both mentally and physically. You’ll also be asked if your periods have returned and if any stitches you had have healed – either from an episiotomy or cesarean section. You can also talk to your doctor about contraception, feeding or breastfeeding, and supplements.
Remember to record any questions you have ahead of your appointment.
Will you be using our notes page? Let us know in the comments!
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