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During your pregnancy, you should have a variety of exams, tests and procedures.
Some of the tests are routine for all pregnant women. Others are optional or may
be recommended by your doctor in certain situations or if there are
complications.
You should keep all appointments with your doctor so that he or she can detect
any problems as soon as possible. If any problems or potential problems are
identified, your doctor can plan for your care as necessary. During each visit,
your doctor will ask about any symptoms or problems you may be having,
particularly bleeding, contractions, headaches, or swelling of your hands
or feet.
What things will my doctor look for during prenatal exams?
You doctor will look for and ask about signs and symptoms at the various
stages of pregnancy. He or she will look for:
• Symptoms of early pregnancy such as morning sickness, breast
enlargement and tenderness, and frequent urination
• An embryo, viewed with ultrasound:
Enlarged uterus (6-8 weeks)
Enlarged abdomen (14 weeks)
Fetal heartbeat (12-14 weeks)
Movement of the baby (18 weeks)
Changes in your vagina, cervix and skin
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