Should prenatal checkups be done once a week or once every two weeks in late pregnancy? Why are prenatal checkups so frequent in late pregnancy?

We all know that in the later stages of pregnancy, a woman's belly will get bigger and bigger, so she needs to have regular prenatal checkups to understand the baby's health and be more assured of the birth. The time for prenatal checkups in the late pregnancy is very particular. Some pregnant women have them once a week, while others have them once every two weeks. So how often should you have a prenatal checkup in the late pregnancy? Let's take a closer look!

How often should I have a prenatal checkup during the third trimester?

1. If the pregnant woman has no discomfort and the fetal movement is normal, it is recommended to have a check-up every two weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, that is, at 30, 32, 34, and 36 weeks; and once a week from 37 to 40 weeks.

2. If pregnant women have spotting, stomach pain or other discomfort, or if the fetus moves abnormally, it is recommended to go to the hospital for examination at any time to ensure the safety of the pregnant woman and the fetus. If the pregnant mother is particularly careful about the fetus, has a big belly and is inconvenient to move, and feels that it is troublesome to go to the hospital for registration and examination, it is recommended to buy a fetal heart monitor to monitor at any time and feel at ease.

Why do we need to have prenatal checkups so frequently during late pregnancy?

First, prevent the baby from intrauterine hypoxia

In the late pregnancy, the baby is very likely to suffer from hypoxia. There are many reasons for hypoxia, which may be a problem with the fetus or the pregnant mother.

Therefore, pregnant mothers should insist on counting fetal movements in the late pregnancy and go for prenatal check-ups on time to detect any abnormalities in the baby in time.

Second, check the baby's neck and intervene

In the third trimester, the baby's space for activities will become smaller, and the baby's activities in the uterus are generally playing with the umbilical cord, swallowing amniotic fluid, stretching, and moving hands and feet. However, due to space limitations, it is easy for the umbilical cord to wrap around the neck, which is very dangerous for the baby. At the least, the baby will suffer from hypoxia, and at the worst, it may lead to premature birth.

Therefore, regular prenatal checkups in the third trimester can help you better understand your baby's condition. If you find that your baby has a slight neck twist, follow the doctor's advice to intervene. If it is more serious, you need to treat it based on a comprehensive assessment.

Third, assess the baby's weight and determine the method of delivery

Around 36 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's weight will be assessed to see if a natural birth or caesarean section is appropriate. If a natural birth is appropriate, the pregnant mother only needs to wait patiently for the baby to start. If the baby is found to be too heavy or in an abnormal fetal position, and the conditions for a natural birth are not met, then an appointment must be made with the doctor for a caesarean section.

What should you pay attention to in late pregnancy

1. In the third trimester, many mothers will experience breathing difficulties or chest tightness. The oxygen consumption will increase significantly, and the fetus will grow and develop the fastest, so the fetus needs more oxygen. You can practice abdominal breathing to relieve this. You can measure your blood pressure once in the morning and once in the evening.

2. In the late pregnancy, the physiological changes of pregnant women are very great, and it is not suitable to travel far. Traveling by boat will make the body tired, and the air on the boat is polluted, and there are many germs, which makes it easy to get infected. Giving birth is no small matter. If you are not careful, it will endanger the life of the pregnant woman and the fetus. Therefore, it is generally not advisable to travel far away from home in the late pregnancy.

3. Edema often occurs in the late pregnancy, which not only increases the hardship of pregnancy, but also makes it easy to develop gestational hypertension. Therefore, the diet needs to control salt and water. When lying in bed, it is best to raise the legs appropriately to facilitate blood circulation and reduce lower limb edema.

4. There is no need to take a lot of supplements in the late pregnancy. Excessive obesity of pregnant mothers and giant fetuses are harmful to the health of mother and child, and can easily cause gestational diabetes. In addition, if the fetus is too large, the pregnant mother will have difficulty in childbirth and heavy bleeding, which can easily cause heavy bleeding.

5. If you feel regular contraction pain in your abdomen, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible to check whether you are having premature birth.

6. Conduct regular prenatal checkups in the later stages of pregnancy and promptly correct problems found to ensure good health and smooth delivery of the baby.

7. When exercising in the late pregnancy, you must pay attention to safety and avoid getting too tired.

8. If vaginal bleeding, fluid discharge, excessive or insufficient fetal movement, or increased edema occurs, you should go to the hospital immediately.