Prenatal care schedule

It is important to start prenatal care as soon as you know you are pregnant. Regular prenatal appointments allow for monitoring of your health, and your baby's growth and development. They also provide opportunities for you to ask questions and voice concerns. (If you don't have any questions or concerns yet, trust us... you will!)

You will have an opportunity to see every provider during your prenatal care, but you do not have to rotate if you do not want to. However, please understand that while every effort is made for your doctor to deliver your baby, any of our physicians might be called depending on the timing of your delivery.

A note about support: Novant Health Carolina Women's Health Associates believes you deserve support during your pregnancy. We will do everything that we can to support you, and we encourage you to bring your birth partner with you to your appointments for additional support. While this is not necessary, having a second set of ears listening to instructions or another person helping you remember questions you wanted to ask can make you feel better about getting the information you need.

This page outlines the prenatal care schedule for a routine pregnancy:

First trimester

6-8 Weeks: First OB visit. At this visit, your pregnancy is confirmed and an estimated due date determined. You have a chance to meet your doctor and ask any questions.
10-12 Weeks: This is your first official OB visit. At this visit, your height and weight will be taken, your urine will be tested for infection, you will have a pelvic exam and a Pap smear if your Pap test is not up to date.
12-13 Weeks: Nuchal Translucency testing (optional). This testing involves an ultrasound and a blood test to help determine your baby's risk of certain diseases and disorders.

Second trimester

16 Weeks: OB visit including basic blood testing or further genetic testing called a Quad screen (optional). This visit might also include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.
20-22 Weeks: Anatomy screen. This ultrasound allows your doctor to monitor your baby's development, as most body systems and structures are formed by this point. You might also be able to find out if you are having a boy or a girl!
22 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.
24-28 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam. You will also take a glucose challenge test (GCT) to determine your risk for gestational diabetes. If Rh-negative, you might have an antibody screen and a RhoGam shot.

Third trimester

30 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.
34 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.
36 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam. You will also be tested for group B strep and certain STDs that could affect your baby. This testing is required by law.
38 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.
39 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.
40 Weeks: OB visit which might include a urine test, a weight check and a pelvic exam.

Post-partum visit

You will visit our office at least once after your delivery. Timing of this visit depends on whether you have a c-section or vaginal delivery.

Concerns between visits

If you have any concerns between visits, you can call our office at 704-636-9270 during regular office hours. After hours or on weekends, please call the medical center at 704-210-5000.

If you experience bleeding at any point during your pregnancy, please call our office. If you develop symptoms of nausea and vomiting, please limit your oral intake to clear liquids. If vomiting persists for more than eight hours or if you cannot keep down clear liquids, please call our office. If you temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees, please call our office.

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