Prenatal check-up schedule and items

Pregnancy is a top priority for every family. Family members need to take good care of the diet and schedule of the pregnant woman so that she can give birth to a healthy baby. Nowadays, with the development of medical technology, many pregnant women can go to the hospital for prenatal check-ups to understand the condition of their baby. Therefore, many people want to know, what examinations should pregnant women go to the hospital for during pregnancy?

1. How often should pregnant women undergo pregnancy checkups?

Generally speaking, pregnancy check-ups are required once a month before the 28th week of pregnancy, every half a month from 28 to 36 weeks, and once a week after 36 weeks, but the requirements may vary in different regions and hospitals. During the entire pregnancy, 10 to 15 pregnancy checkups may be required.

2. What preparations should be made before pregnancy check-up?

Before the prenatal check-up, pregnant mothers can make the following preparations in advance to make the prenatal check-up process more complete.

1. Take breaks

Be sure to get a good rest the night before the prenatal check-up, because you need to get up early the next day, and you have to wait in a long line at the hospital, so energy is very important.

2. Take the problem with you

Write down the problems you encounter during pregnancy on paper and ask your gynecologist about these issues during your prenatal checkup.

3. Wear loose clothing

The basic requirement for wearing clothes during pregnancy check-ups is: loose, thick, and easy to put on and take off. Wearing clothes that fit well can not only save time and effort, but also avoid the anxiety caused by the trouble of taking off and putting on.

3. Early pregnancy test

(1) 0 to 5 weeks

Prenatal check-up items: Confirm pregnancy

When a woman finds that her monthly menstruation has been delayed and she begins to experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc., she may wonder if she is pregnant. It is recommended that you go to the pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test strip on the market and test it yourself, or go to the obstetrics and gynecology department immediately and ask a specialist doctor to check it.

(2) 5–6 weeks

Prenatal check-up items: B-ultrasound to see the number of test tube embryos

Through ultrasound examination, you can roughly see the location of the fetal sac in the uterus. If the pregnant woman does not have vaginal bleeding, she only needs to look at the site where the embryo in the gestational sac is implanted. If there is vaginal bleeding, it is usually a symptom of threatened miscarriage. In addition, you can also see the number of test tube embryos to determine whether the pregnant mother has created twins.

(3) 6 to 8 weeks

Prenatal examination items: Listening to the fetal heart rate

During an ultrasound examination, you can see the embryonic tissue in the fetal sac. If you can see the fetal heartbeat, it means that the fetus is currently in normal condition. In addition, under the ultrasound scan, you can also see the yolk sac that supplies the nutritional needs of the fetus 12 weeks ago.

(4) 9–11 weeks

Prenatal examination items: Chorionic villus sampling

If the pregnant mother's family has a genetic disease, she can do "chorionic villus sampling" during the 9th to 11th week of pregnancy. Because this test is invasive and can often lead to miscarriage and fetal injury, few people are currently doing this kind of test.

(5) 12 weeks

Prenatal check-up items: weight and blood pressure measurement, fetal heart rate test, urine test, blood test, NT

Every pregnant mother will officially start her first prenatal check-up at the 12th week of pregnancy. Because it has entered a relatively stable stage at this time, hospitals generally provide mothers with a "Pregnant Women's Health Guide".

4. Mid-pregnancy check-up

(1) 16 weeks or so

The examination items include Doppler fetal heart, English hearing, blood type test, routine blood test, routine urine test, liver function test, kidney function, hepatitis B for 2.5 years, hepatitis C virus antibody, blood sugar level, and mid-to-late stage Down syndrome screening.

(2) 20-24 weeks

A urine test is needed, a colorful B-frequency ultrasound/four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound examination.

(3) 24-28 weeks

In addition to a routine urine test, an ABO blood antigen test, a 50-gram salt screen, and, if necessary, a pelvic measurement are also performed.

5. Pregnancy check-up in late pregnancy

From the 36th week onwards, pregnant mothers are getting closer to the delivery date. At this time, prenatal checkups should be done once a week as a rule.

(1) 29 to 32 weeks

Prenatal check-up items: Edema to prevent premature birth

After 28 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor should continue to check the normal mother for edema. In addition, pregnant mothers should especially prevent premature birth before 37 weeks. If the pain lasts for more than 30 minutes and continues to increase, and there is vaginal bleeding or watery discharge, they must go to the hospital for a physical examination immediately.

(2) 33-35 weeks

Prenatal examination items: B-ultrasound assessment of baby's weight

At 34 weeks of pregnancy, pregnant mothers are advised to have a detailed B-ultrasound to assess the weight and growth status of the fetus at that time (for example, fetuses with preeclampsia appear to be relatively petite), and to estimate the weight of the fetus at full term.

(3) At week 36, preparations for production begin.

(4) 37 weeks

Pregnancy check-up: Pay attention to baby's fetal movement

As the baby's fetal movements become more frequent, pregnant mothers should pay attention to the baby and their own condition at any time to prevent the baby from being born prematurely.

(5) 38 to 42 weeks

Pregnancy check: The fetus is in a fixed position and placed in the tray to prepare for delivery and consider inducing labor

From the 38th week onwards, the fetal position begins to stabilize, the fetal head has come out and is stuck in the pelvis. At this time, pregnant mothers need to be mentally prepared for delivery at any time. Some pregnant women still have no signs of labor after 42 weeks, so they should consider asking the doctor to use oxytocin.