Regular prenatal appointments throughout pregnancy give you and your care team the information needed to keep you and your baby healthy. Guidelines from WHO and ACOG recommend a series of scheduled visits — here is a complete overview of what happens, when it happens, and who you will see.
Who will follow your care?
Most pregnant people are seen by a midwife, OB-GYN, or a combination of both, depending on your location and whether your pregnancy is considered low or high risk.
- Midwife — manages most appointments and specializes in normal pregnancy and birth.
- OB-GYN or family doctor — handles medical issues and may share care with a midwife.
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialist — involved when needed, for example with twins, a previous complication, or chronic illness.
Contact a care provider as soon as you know you are pregnant. The first appointment should ideally happen before 10–12 weeks.
Overview of all appointments
The number of visits varies. WHO guidelines recommend at least 8 contacts for uncomplicated pregnancies; your provider may schedule more.
Weeks 6–12: First appointment
The first contact is a conversation about your health and life situation.
What happens:
- Discussion of previous pregnancies, health conditions, and medications
- Blood tests: blood type, Rh factor, hemoglobin, HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis
- Urine test: checks for protein and glucose
- Blood pressure and weight
- Information about folic acid (recommended from when you start trying through week 12)
- Due date calculation based on last menstrual period
Use our Pregnancy Timeline to follow your pregnancy week by week. You will get personalized information matched to your due date.
Weeks 11–14: Early ultrasound and combined screening
All pregnant people are offered an early ultrasound with a blood test to assess the risk of chromosomal differences.
What happens:
- Ultrasound measurement of nuchal translucency
- Blood test (PAPP-A and free beta-hCG)
- Due date confirmed or adjusted
- Number of babies confirmed
Weeks 18–20: Anatomy scan (routine ultrasound)
The detailed ultrasound where the baby's organs and development are checked thoroughly.
What happens:
- Review of the baby's anatomy (heart, brain, organs)
- Placental location
- Amniotic fluid level
- Baby's growth
Read more in our guide to ultrasound in pregnancy.
Week 24: Appointment
What happens:
- Fundal height measurement (measures the size of the uterus externally)
- Blood pressure and urine test
- Listening to the baby's heartbeat
- Discussion of fetal movement — from now you should feel movement daily
Week 28: Appointment
What happens:
- Blood test: hemoglobin checked again (iron deficiency is common)
- Blood pressure and urine test
- Fundal height measurement
- Rh-negative individuals offered Rh immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin)
Iron deficiency affects many pregnant people in the second and third trimester. If hemoglobin is low, an iron supplement is recommended. Talk to your midwife or doctor about the right dose.
Week 32: Appointment
What happens:
- Blood pressure and urine test
- Fundal height measurement
- Discussion of birth and birthing location
- Information about breastfeeding and the postpartum period
- Check of baby's position if needed
Week 36: Appointment
What happens:
- Blood pressure and urine test
- Check of baby's position (head down?)
- Blood test: hemoglobin; Rh-negative individuals offered repeat Rh immunoglobulin
- Discussion of signs of labor and when to call your provider
- Review of birth preferences
Think through your birth preferences and write them down. It helps clarify your wishes and expectations for labor and birth.
Week 38: Appointment
What happens:
- Blood pressure and urine test
- Fundal height measurement
- Confirm baby's position
- Discussion of labor signs
Week 40: Appointment (at due date)
What happens:
- Blood pressure and urine test
- Assessment of readiness for birth
Week 41: Wellbeing check (if not yet delivered)
If you have not delivered by week 41, an extra appointment is offered.
What happens:
- Non-stress test (CTG — fetal heart rate monitoring)
- Ultrasound to check amniotic fluid
- Assessment of whether labor should be induced
- Possible scheduling of induction
Read more about being overdue in pregnancy.
What is checked at each appointment?
Some assessments are performed at almost every visit:
| Assessment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Detect preeclampsia |
| Urine test | Check for protein (sign of preeclampsia) and glucose (sugar) |
| Fundal height | Assess baby's growth |
| Fetal heartbeat | Confirm the baby is doing well |
When to contact your provider between appointments
Between scheduled visits, call your midwife, doctor, or maternity unit if you experience:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Headache that will not go away, visual disturbances, or facial swelling
- Your waters breaking
- Reduced fetal movement (from week 24)
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
With severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or your waters breaking — contact your maternity unit directly. Do not wait until your next appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Can my partner come to appointments?
Yes, your partner is welcome at all appointments. Many couples choose especially to bring a partner to the anatomy scan and appointments later in pregnancy.
What if I am unwell on the day of my appointment?
Call and reschedule. Try not to leave too long a gap between appointments, especially in the third trimester when blood pressure and fetal growth are closely monitored.
Do prenatal appointments cost anything?
This depends on your insurance and healthcare system. In many countries, standard prenatal care is fully covered. Check with your insurer or healthcare provider.
Read more
- Ultrasound in pregnancy — detailed guide
- Being overdue — what happens after 40 weeks?
- Pregnancy week by week — follow your pregnancy
- Pregnancy checklist — stay organized
- The stages of labor — from contractions to birth