Pregnancy: What to Expect
Introduction
Over-the-counter home pregnancy tests may detect a pregnancy as early as the first day of a missed period. You may also receive a pregnancy test at your doctor’s office or a clinic. You should contact your doctor if you suspect you are pregnant or have a positive home pregnancy test. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, weight, and urine during a prenatal exam. Your doctor may screen for vaginal infections. Your doctor will discuss healthy pregnancy eating and exercise, plus prescribe prenatal vitamins if you are not already on them.
Your doctor will check your weight and blood pressure. Your urine may be checked for sugar and protein. Your doctor may perform an ultrasound to measure the size of the embryo and check for a heartbeat.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size of your uterus and the fetal heartbeat.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size of your uterus and the fetal heartbeat. An amniocentesis may be performed between the 16th and 18th weeks of pregnancy for certain individuals.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size of your uterus and the fetal heartbeat. An ultrasound may be used at about 20 weeks to help verify fetal age and growth. It may be possible to determine your baby’s sex at this time. Your doctor will check your hands and feet for swelling. Your doctor may test you for Hepatitis B as a routine precaution.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size of your uterus and the fetal heartbeat. Your doctor will check the height of your uterus. Your doctor may order a glucose tolerance test between weeks 24 and 28. This is a test to identify gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops in some women during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend a childbirth class for you and your partner to attend.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size of your uterus and the fetal heartbeat. Your doctor will check the height of the uterus and the position of the baby. Your doctor may have you complete a birthing plan, which states your ideals and preferences for childbirth.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size of your uterus, height of the uterus, and the fetal heartbeat. Your doctor may monitor your condition every two weeks during this period. At about week 35, your doctor may check your cervix for effacement and dilation. Your cervix becomes thinner and the cervix opening dilates as you get closer to giving birth. Your doctor may use ultrasound to see what position your baby is in. Your doctor may determine if you will need a cesarean section.
Your doctor will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and urine for protein or sugar. Your doctor will evaluate the size and height of your uterus and the fetal heartbeat. Your doctor will check your uterus for effacement and dilation. Your doctor may examine you every week during this period. Your doctor may test you for Group B Strep, an infection that can be life-threatening for newborns if it is not treated.
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.
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