Pregnancy Weeks and Due Dates Are Estimates
Pregnancy is usually dated from the first day of your last menstrual period, and the due date is calculated at around 40 weeks. If your menstrual cycles are irregular or you do not know the date, your healthcare provider may adjust the estimate using clinical information such as an early ultrasound. A due date does not mean you will give birth exactly on that day, so do not use the calculation as a fixed schedule for prenatal visits.
Early Pregnancy
Once you learn that you may be pregnant, schedule prenatal care and tell your healthcare provider about any medications and supplements you take. The CDC recommends that people who could become pregnant take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, so avoid alcohol as well as smoking and secondhand smoke.
Mid-Pregnancy
When you feel fetal movement and how your body changes vary from person to person. Your healthcare provider will recommend ultrasounds and blood tests, including gestational diabetes screening, based on your individual risks and the schedule of your care provider. Rather than expecting to confirm the baby's sex or developmental status during a specific week, ask your healthcare provider to explain your test results for the most accurate understanding.
Late Pregnancy
Plan in advance how you will get to your place of delivery, whom to contact, and which documents you will need. If fetal movement clearly decreases from usual, or you have vaginal bleeding, fluid that may be amniotic fluid, a severe headache or vision changes, shortness of breath, or regular painful contractions, contact your healthcare provider without waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
Food and Exercise
The CDC advises caution with foods that carry a risk of food poisoning, including undercooked meat, eggs, or seafood, unpasteurized dairy products, and unwashed produce. If your pregnancy has no complications, exercise is generally considered safe, but discuss the type and intensity with your healthcare provider based on your current health. It is not accurate to broadly prohibit exercise or cosmetic procedures for every pregnant person.
Create Your Prenatal Care Plan
The timing of prenatal visits and the tests you need vary based on your age, medical history, multiple pregnancy, and current symptoms. Follow the schedule set by your healthcare provider rather than a fixed number of visits found online. Sharing the hospital phone number, emergency contact guidelines, birth plan, and vaccination schedule with your family can help in an emergency.