Later antenatal check-ups

During your second trimester (weeks 13-28) you’ll likely see your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife once a month unless you have a medical condition or complications in your pregnancy that mean you need to be seen more often.

These visits are great opportunities for you to ask any questions you might have and to find out about your baby’s progress. It’s a good idea to keep a notepad in your purse so you can jot down questions in, so that you don’t forget what you want to ask at your checkup. Lots of questions can arise over a month!

In these visits, your caregiver will:

- Ask how you’re feeling, both physically and emotionally, and check on any symptoms you may have had, such as swelling in your ankles.

- Record your weight (for more information on how much weight you can expect to put on during pregnancy, refer to our weight gain calculator).?

- Check your blood pressure (high blood pressure can signal pre-eclampsia, a potentially serious complication that can strike in late pregnancy).

- Check your urine for protein – if present, this could also indicate you have pre-ecampsia or a urinary tract infection. A high level of sugar in your urine could indicate gestational diabetes.

- Check your baby’s heartbeat with a hand-held ultrasound device – you should be able to hear it from around 13 weeks and you’ll be amazed at how fast it beats!

- Feel your bump to check your baby’s size and position. From mid-pregnancy she will measure the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus – this is called the fundal height, and the measurement should roughly equate with how many weeks pregnant you are.

- Remind you what prenatal tests are available depending on what stage you’re at. These include screening tests, such as blood tests and ultrasound scans; and diagnostic tests, such as CVS and amniocentisis.

. Read gurgle’s article which scans or tests show up abnormalities? for more information on what the tests involve and when you can have them.

- In your late second trimester or early third you’ll be screened for gestational diabetes.

- Around weeks 35-37 you’ll be screened for Group B strep. This bacteria is present in the vagina and intestines of up to 40 percent of women and can be passed on to your baby during the birth, potentially making him extremely ill. If you test positive, you’ll be given antibiotics via IV during your labor.

Read the features in gurgle’s Tests and Checks section if you’d like to know more.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.