Obstetrics
Prenatal care: what to expect, week by week
Regular prenatal visits help keep you and your baby healthy and catch problems early, when they are easiest to treat.
How often you will be seen
For most pregnancies, visits are about every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until delivery. We may see you more often if your pregnancy needs closer monitoring.
Your pregnancy timeline
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| First visit (about 7–10 weeks) | Confirm pregnancy and due date, often with ultrasound; review your health history; prenatal blood work including blood type, Rh factor, blood count, and infection screening; Pap test if due. |
| 10–14 weeks | Optional genetic screening, such as cell-free DNA blood testing and/or a nuchal translucency ultrasound. We will explain your choices. |
| 15–22 weeks | Optional maternal blood screening (for example, AFP) if appropriate for you. |
| 18–22 weeks | Detailed anatomy ultrasound, performed by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, to check your baby’s growth and development. |
| 24–28 weeks | Glucose screening for gestational diabetes and a blood count to check for anemia. |
| About 28 weeks | Rh immune globulin if your blood type is Rh-negative. |
| 27–36 weeks | Tdap vaccine to help protect your newborn from whooping cough. We will also review other recommended vaccines. |
| 36–37 weeks | Group B strep test to plan for antibiotics during labor if needed. |
| 37 weeks to delivery | Weekly visits to check blood pressure, your baby’s position and growth, and signs of labor. |
Every pregnancy is different. Your testing plan may vary based on your history and preferences.
At every visit
We check your blood pressure and weight, listen to your baby’s heartbeat, measure your baby’s growth, and answer your questions.
Call us or go to Labor & Delivery right away for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, severe headache or vision changes, severe abdominal pain, regular contractions before 37 weeks, or if your baby is moving less than usual. In an emergency, call 911.
Medically reviewed by Rahil Malik, MD, FACOG, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Last reviewed: September 2026. This page is general information and does not replace a visit with your doctor.