Short answer
Check-ups start as soon as you know you are pregnant and become more frequent in the last three months. As a guide, the UK’s NHS offers at least 10 check-ups in a first pregnancy and 7 if you have had a baby before. Every visit checks your blood pressure, urine and your baby’s growth. If your pregnancy is high-risk, your doctor will see you more often.
- Published
- Published by
- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Your first visit
Book it as soon as a pregnancy test is positive. The first visit usually takes longer than later ones. Expect:
- Questions about your last period, past pregnancies, illnesses, medicines and family history
- Blood pressure, weight and a urine test
- Blood tests, including your blood group and haemoglobin
- A blood sugar test, because India’s guidelines advise testing for diabetes in pregnancy at the first visit
- Advice on diet, folic acid and the scans you will need
What is checked at every visit
- Blood pressure, to look for high BP and pre-eclampsia
- Urine, for protein and infection
- Your weight and how you are feeling, including mood and sleep
- The size of your bump, to follow your baby’s growth from mid-pregnancy
- Your baby’s movements, once you can feel them
Scans and tests by stage
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| 11 to 14 weeks | Dating scan to confirm the due date, check early development and see if there is more than one baby. Screening for some chromosomal conditions can be offered. |
| 18 to 21 weeks | Anomaly (mid-pregnancy) scan to check the baby’s body in detail. |
| 24 to 28 weeks | Repeat blood sugar test (75 g glucose test) if the first one was normal. |
| Around 28 weeks | Blood tests for haemoglobin and blood group. If your blood group is Rh negative, the doctor discusses the anti-D injection. |
| From 36 weeks | Checking the baby’s position and planning the delivery. |
| 40 to 41 weeks | Discussing your options if the baby has not yet arrived. |
Your doctor may add growth scans, Doppler scans or extra blood tests, depending on your health and your baby’s growth.
When to call without waiting for your next visit
- Bleeding from the vagina
- A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- Your baby moving less than usual, or a change in the usual pattern of movements
- Fluid leaking from the vagina
- Fever, or burning when passing urine
- Severe tummy pain
Our 24/7 emergency line is +91 90368 52311. Call at any hour; do not wait until the next day.
What to bring to each visit
- Your pregnancy file or card, with all earlier reports and scans
- A list of the medicines you take
- Aadhaar or another photo ID
- The questions you want to ask
Common questions
How many scans are needed in a normal pregnancy?
Most healthy pregnancies need at least two: a dating scan at 11 to 14 weeks and an anomaly scan at 18 to 21 weeks. Your doctor may advise more if there is a medical reason.
Can I skip check-ups if I feel fine?
It is better not to. High blood pressure, diabetes in pregnancy and anaemia often cause no symptoms early on and are found only through routine checks.
I live abroad and plan to deliver in Kadapa. How do I manage check-ups?
Keep all reports from your doctor abroad and bring them to your first visit here. Our guide on delivering in Kadapa from the Gulf explains how to plan check-ups and travel.
Read next
Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.