Prenatal care involves a structured series of appointments designed to monitor the health and progress of the parent and the developing fetus. These routine visits allow healthcare providers to identify and manage potential complications, ensuring a healthy outcome. The frequency of these check-ups systematically increases as the pregnancy advances, becoming more regular in the final months before delivery. This schedule reflects the heightened need for surveillance as the due date approaches.
The Standard Prenatal Visit Schedule
For a low-risk pregnancy, the initial phase of prenatal care involves a monthly visit schedule. This routine is maintained from the first appointment until the 28th week of gestation, allowing providers to establish a baseline of health and track early development. Standard assessments during these monthly check-ups include measuring the parent’s weight and blood pressure, checking a urine sample for protein or glucose, and using a Doppler to listen to the fetal heartbeat.
Around the 28th week, as the third trimester begins, appointments accelerate to bi-weekly visits. This increased frequency allows for closer monitoring of maternal conditions that often arise in later pregnancy stages. Providers also begin measuring the fundal height—the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus—to gauge the baby’s growth rate. This bi-weekly schedule continues until the final, weekly phase of appointments starts.
The Start of Weekly Appointments
The transition to weekly prenatal appointments generally occurs around the 36th week of pregnancy for those following a standard care plan. This timing marks the beginning of the final month before the estimated due date, when the risk of certain complications rises. The primary purpose of this shift is to intensify surveillance for late-onset issues, such as preeclampsia, characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage.
Frequent visits also allow for timely detection of potential issues with the baby’s environment, such as changes in amniotic fluid levels or shifts in fetal growth patterns. The care team can quickly intervene if monitoring reveals a need for further testing or a change in the delivery plan. This systematic weekly monitoring is maintained until the baby is born.
Essential Checks During the Final Weeks
The weekly appointments incorporate specific assessments aimed at preparing for labor and delivery. A standard procedure performed between the 35th and 37th week is the screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS). GBS is a common bacterium that is harmless to the parent but potentially dangerous to a newborn if transmitted during birth. If the test is positive, antibiotics are administered intravenously during labor to protect the infant.
During these final weeks, the care team focuses on determining the baby’s position, ensuring the head is down toward the pelvis (cephalic presentation). Regular checks of the fetal heart rate, blood pressure, and urine continue to be standard. A provider may also start performing cervical checks, which assess the degree of effacement, or thinning, and dilation, or opening, of the cervix. These checks provide an indication of the body’s readiness for labor.
When Weekly Visits Start Sooner
The standard timeline of weekly appointments starting at 36 weeks applies only to low-risk pregnancies. More frequent monitoring may be initiated much earlier for certain individuals. High-risk pregnancies often necessitate an accelerated schedule to safeguard the health of both the parent and the baby. This may involve moving to weekly or bi-weekly appointments sooner than the 28-week mark, depending on specific risk factors.
Conditions such as carrying multiple fetuses, pre-existing hypertension, or diabetes require earlier and more intensive observation to prevent complications like preterm birth or issues with fetal growth restriction. If a provider suspects a problem, such as inadequate fetal movement or concerning signs from a routine blood pressure check, they may immediately increase the frequency of visits. The decision to begin weekly visits earlier than 36 weeks is determined by the practitioner based on an individual assessment of the patient’s medical history and the ongoing progression of the pregnancy.