Prenatal care includes medical visits, lab tests, and health guidance during pregnancy. Most visits happen monthly at first, and they become more frequent in the third trimester. When you build a care plan early, you and your provider share a clear schedule. Here are some of the main parts of a prenatal care plan:
Evaluating Pregnancy Risks
Your prenatal care provider reviews your health history to identify factors that may affect your pregnancy. Some risks exist before conception, and others develop over the coming months. In certain cases, risk factors include the following:
- Older or younger age of mother
- High blood pressure or diabetes
- Previous preterm birth or pregnancy loss
- Current smoking, alcohol, or substance use
A risk factor is not a diagnosis, but it may change your care schedule. Higher-risk pregnancies often involve extra ultrasounds or visits with a specialist. Tell your provider about new symptoms, such as headaches or swelling, as soon as they appear. If you take regular medications, bring a full list to your next appointment.
Completing Routine Screenings
During your pregnancy, your first visit is typically one of the longer appointments you’ll have. Your provider will confirm your due date, and they can review your last period and any early ultrasound results. Blood work at this visit checks your blood type, iron levels, and immunity to certain infections.
Early in your pregnancy, you may choose genetic screening if you want more information about your baby’s development. Options may include DNA testing and an early ultrasound. These tests estimate the risk for certain conditions, but they do not provide a diagnosis. If a result comes back high, your provider may recommend follow-up testing.
As your pregnancy progresses, additional screenings follow a set timeline. You will have an anatomy scan to check your baby’s growth and organs, a glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes, and a group B strep swab closer to your due date. Ask your provider for a list of upcoming tests so you always know what to expect at each visit.
Adjusting Diet and Activities
Pregnancy raises your need for folic acid, iron, calcium, and protein. Most providers recommend a daily prenatal vitamin, and many suggest starting it before conception. While you are pregnant, avoid raw fish, unpasteurized cheese, deli meats, and fish high in mercury. Limit caffeine to a moderate amount each day.
If your provider approves, aim for moderate activity each week. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga suit most pregnancies. Skip contact sports and hot yoga, and avoid lying flat on your back after the first trimester.
Planning Delivery
Delivery planning typically starts in the third trimester. Your birth plan describes the choices that matter to you during labor and after birth. Your provider reviews the plan with you, and the hospital keeps a copy on file. Cover these topics in your plan:
- Your preferred hospital or birth center
- Your pain relief options, such as an epidural
- Your support person during labor
- Your feeding plans for your newborn
Schedule Prenatal Care Today
A prenatal care plan covers screenings, risks, habits, and delivery choices, and your provider updates it at each visit. If you think you are pregnant, call your provider to book your first appointment. Bring your health history, medication list, and questions to that visit. Write down any recent symptoms before the appointment.
