Your prenatal care journey: which tests, when, and why

A list of appointments, a handful of scans, blood tests, a sugary drink to swallow at the clinic… laid out all at once, prenatal care can look like a lot to keep track of. Seen as a whole, though, it's really one connected journey — a series of check-ins designed to look after you and your baby from the first weeks to the last. Here's the map: the main milestones, roughly when they fall, and why each one earns its place. One thing to hold onto from the start: the exact schedule varies by country and by your situation, and it's your own midwife or doctor who gives you the version that applies to you.

The first appointment: the big picture, early on

Care usually opens with an early booking appointment. It's a longer visit that confirms the pregnancy and takes stock of your health: a set of blood tests, your blood group and rhesus status, and screening for certain infections (serology). It's also the moment to talk through your history, your questions and how you're feeling. Think of it less as a hurdle and more as the foundation the rest of your care is built on.

Ultrasounds: seeing how your baby is growing

Scans are the part most people picture, and there are generally two to three depending on where you are. A dating scan in the first trimester pins down how far along you are. The anomaly scan around 18 to 22 weeks — often called the big one — takes a careful look at how your baby is developing. In some places a third scan follows in the third trimester. Beyond the reassurance of that image on the screen, each scan answers specific questions about growth and development.

Screenings and the glucose test

Alongside the scans sit a few screenings, which are yours to choose. Depending on the country and your wishes, these can include a combined screening or a genetic test from around 10 to 11 weeks. Later, usually between 24 and 28 weeks, comes the glucose test that looks for gestational diabetes, and towards the end of pregnancy a check for group B streptococcus. None of these is compulsory: they're offered so you can make an informed decision, and you're free to ask every question you have before deciding.

A diagram of the glucose test for gestational diabetes: a sugary drink followed by timed blood samples — The glucose test screens for gestational diabetes, usually between 24 and 28 weeks.

The quiet checks at every visit

At each appointment, a few quick routines repeat: your blood pressure, a urine sample, your weight, the fundal height (the size of your bump) and your baby's heartbeat. They can feel like formalities, but many are the "silent" checks that quietly do a lot of the work — blood pressure and urine together, for instance, help spot early signs of pre-eclampsia long before you'd notice anything yourself. That's exactly why they're worth turning up for, even on the weeks when everything feels completely fine.

💡 Bring your questions with you Appointments go by quickly, and it's easy to forget what you meant to ask. Jot your questions down as they occur to you — in the app's journal — and bring the list along. There's no such thing as a silly question, and your appointment is exactly the right place to clear up whatever's on your mind.

⚠️ Don't skip visits — and when to call between them Keep your appointments even when all feels well: the quiet checks are precisely the ones that catch what you can't feel. And between visits, contact your maternity unit without delay if you have bleeding, contractions, a drop in your baby's movements, a severe headache with visual disturbances, or sudden swelling of your face or hands.

Your questions, answered

Can I decline a screening?

Yes. Screenings are an informed choice, not an obligation — you can accept or decline each one. The best approach is to talk it through with your midwife or doctor first, so your decision is based on what the test does and doesn't tell you.

What actually happens in the glucose test?

It screens for gestational diabetes, usually between 24 and 28 weeks. In practice it involves a sugary drink and one or more blood samples taken at set times to see how your body handles the sugar. Your team will explain the exact steps on the day.

How many ultrasounds will I have?

Generally two to three, depending on the country and your situation: a dating scan early on, the anomaly scan around 18 to 22 weeks, and sometimes a third in the third trimester. Your midwife or doctor will confirm your own schedule.

Why is my urine tested every single time?

The urine sample is a quick, painless way to look for infection and for early signs of pre-eclampsia (protein in the urine), alongside your blood pressure. It's one of those silent checks that catches things before you'd ever feel them.

Also worth reading: Your baby's movements: what's normal, and when to call · Vaccines in pregnancy: protecting two people at once

Keep your whole journey in one place

In Mama4care, your care notebook holds your appointments and reminders, and the journal keeps your questions ready to bring to the pro — so nothing slips through the cracks between one visit and the next.

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Sources

This article is for information only and has been reviewed by the Mama4care team. It does not replace medical advice: for any question about your health or your baby's, talk to your midwife, doctor or paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.