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Prenatal Care
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Women

Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is essential for monitoring the health of both the pregnant person and the fetus to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery.

What is Prenatal Care?

Prenatal care is the health care you get while you are pregnant. It includes your checkups and prenatal testing. Typically, a health care provider specializing in the delivery of babies and the care of pregnant women, such as an obstetrician or a midwife, provides prenatal care.

Why do I need prenatal care?

Prenatal care can help keep you and your fetus healthy until you're ready to deliver your baby. It lets your provider spot health problems early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others from developing.

Every prenatal visit offers you the chance to ask questions about having a healthy pregnancy and preparing for delivery. Talk to your provider about childbirth education classes for you and your partner to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.

How often do I need prenatal visits?

Your provider will give you a schedule for your prenatal visits. Usually, visits during your pregnancy occur:

  • Once a month for weeks 4 through 28
  • Twice a month for weeks 28 through 36
  • Weekly for week 36 until your baby is born

If you are over 35 years old or your pregnancy is high risk because of health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, your provider will probably want to see you more often. You can also expect to see your provider more often as your due date gets closer.

What happens during prenatal visits?

During prenatal visits, your provider will check your health and carefully monitor your pregnancy until you deliver your baby.

Your first prenatal visit

Your first prenatal visit may take a little longer. Your provider will most likely:

  • Ask about your health history, including prior pregnancies
  • Ask about your family's health history
  • Discuss any health conditions and risk factors that could affect you or your fetus
  • Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap test
  • Review blood, urine, or other routine prenatal lab tests
  • Check your blood pressure, height, and weight
  • Discuss a healthy amount of weight gain, healthy eating, and prenatal vitamins
  • Figure out your due date (when you are 40 weeks pregnant)

During most visits

During most visits, your provider will most likely:

  • Check your blood pressure and weight gain
  • Measure your abdomen (belly) to check fetal growth once you begin to show
  • Check the fetal heart rate
  • Check your hands and feet for swelling
  • Do routine prenatal tests

Safety Precautions

Depending on the stage of your pregnancy, you may have additional tests. Always talk to your provider before you start or stop any medicine. Some medicines can harm your fetus. To help keep yourself and your fetus healthy, avoid substances that could be harmful, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common tests include blood and urine screens for anemia, infections, blood type, Rh factor, and gestational diabetes. Ultrasounds assess fetal growth and anatomy. To prepare, fast for glucose tolerance tests, bring a list of current medications, and wear loose clothing for blood draws. Ask your provider if you need to avoid certain foods or medications before the test.
Most moderate activities—walking, swimming, prenatal yoga—are safe and beneficial. Avoid high‑impact or contact sports unless cleared by your provider. Focus on a balanced diet rich in folate, iron, calcium, and DHA. Stay hydrated, limit caffeine to 200 mg/day, and avoid alcohol. If you have pre‑existing conditions, discuss specific exercise limits with your provider.
Your provider will typically schedule visits once a month from week 4 to 28, twice a month from week 28 to 36, and weekly from week 36 until delivery. If you are over 35, have chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, or have had complications in a previous pregnancy, your provider may increase the frequency to every 2–3 weeks or add additional visits for monitoring.
Call or visit your provider immediately if you experience vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, sudden swelling of hands or face, persistent headaches, vision changes, or a noticeable decrease in fetal movements. Also report any new or worsening symptoms such as high blood pressure readings, swelling, or signs of gestational diabetes.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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