WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

The Importance of Regular Prenatal Appointments

The Importance of Regular Prenatal Appointments
As you reach the 26th week of your pregnancy, you are well into the second trimester, a phase often marked by noticeable physical changes and the rapid growth of your baby.
This period underscores the importance of regular prenatal appointments, crucial for monitoring the ongoing health and development of both mother and baby.
Continued Monitoring for Mother's Health
Regular Check-ups (Every 2-4 Weeks)
  • Health Assessments: Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your blood pressure, weight, and overall health to manage any pregnancy-related conditions like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
  • Lab Tests: Depending on your individual health, additional blood tests may be required to keep an eye on hemoglobin levels or other specific concerns.
Fetal Development and Well-being
Ultrasound Scans
  • Growth Checks: Around this time, an ultrasound might be performed to examine the baby's growth and development, ensuring everything is progressing normally.
  • Placenta and Amniotic Fluid: The health of the placenta and the level of amniotic fluid are also assessed to ensure a supportive environment for the baby.
Preparing for the Third Trimester
Educational Aspect
  • Birth Plans and Classes: Discussions regarding birth plans may begin, and your healthcare provider might recommend childbirth and parenting classes, especially for first-time parents.
  • Nutritional Advice: Nutritional needs can change as you enter the third trimester, making discussions about diet increasingly important.
Importance of Regular Appointments
  • Early Detection: Regular visits help in early detection and management of any potential complications.
  • Tracking Baby’s Movements: Your doctor will discuss how to monitor the baby's movements, which is an essential aspect of assessing their well-being.
  • Emotional Support: These appointments provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns or anxieties, offering emotional support and reassurance.
The 26-Week Milestone
  • Glucose Screening Test: Around this time, the glucose screening test is conducted to check for gestational diabetes.
  • Rh Factor: If you are Rh-negative, you might receive an Rh immunoglobulin injection around week 28 to prevent Rh incompatibility problems.
Q&A for Expecting Mothers
  1. What should I expect during my 26-week prenatal appointment?
  2. How can I prepare for my upcoming third trimester?
  3. Is it normal to feel increased fetal movement at 26 weeks?
  4. Should I be concerned about gestational diabetes?
  5. What are the key nutritional needs at this stage?
G
Gissel
21 Jan 2024

On Thursday the 19th went it for my regular prenatal appointment and got sent to L&D because I didn’t know i was in labor . She is finally is here 01.19.24! Came exactly at 38 weeks my little chunky. ❤️🥹

3 comments
🥰
🥰♥️Katy Tommy's Mommy♥️🥰
Congratulations she's beautiful and I love those chunky cheeks ❤️😍🎉
27 Mar 2024

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R
Rochelle
Congratulations she’s adorable
27 Mar 2024

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B
Baby girl’s mommy
2 Oct 2023

Has anyone taking these before with your significant other?? Does it work?? I was thinking about taking prenatal’s but then I saw this and thought this was interesting to try. Should I try this or just stick with regular prenatal’s? I also got to make sure my bf is fine with taking them.. 😅

1 comments

M
Meadow
10 Aug 2023

I have my first prenatal appointment today!! I’m 11weeks and 1 day. Can someone tell me what all the appointments entails? I just want to know what to expect!

3 comments
H
Heather
Blood work, urine and ultrasound is all that I had to do
27 Mar 2024

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Julie
I just had urine and blood work at first appointment and then information on scheduling 13 wk ultrasound and NIPT testing.
27 Mar 2024

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t
taylah
30 Jan 2023

So is getting ultrasound’s on a regular important? I go to my prenatal appointments and the only times I had to get an ultrasound is when he needed pictures of the baby’s spine and other body parts.

8 comments
t
taylah
and i only get to hear the baby’s heartbeat every appointment which is the most amazing thing ever.. i be wanting to see him too lol but i know that’s not gonna happen.
27 Mar 2024

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taylah
unless i go to the hospital or if something is wrong.
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jenn
28 Dec 2022

First time mom here, I have had my first prenatal appointment rescheduled three times now (not by me), and each time, they assign some random male MD that specializes in family medicine. I spent hours researching OB GYN's that take my insurance and found someone I think I'll really like. For anyone who has already gone through this, is there a significant difference or importance of going to one over the other? Family medicine vs OB? Thanks!

3 comments
J
Janessa
Uh… you need an OB… imo
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jenn
okay that's what I thought! Some google results say you only need an OB of you're high risk, but that seemed so odd to me
27 Mar 2024

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M
Megan
4 Sep 2022

My little man was born this morning! 8lbs 5oz at 38 weeks 💙 Had a regular prenatal checkup on the first that ended up with me at the hospital getting induced due to pre eclampsia. Not exactly how I wanted him to make his appearance but he's perfect and healthy 🥰

5 comments
s
stephanie
awww he’s so cute 🥰🥹 god bless you 💙!!! question tho in what size did your baby fit in
27 Mar 2024

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M
Megan
the outfit he's in now is newborn but he definitely won't fit it for very long. His feet are already too big for it
27 Mar 2024

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T
Tiffany
16 Jul 2022

Has anyone missed any prenatal doctors appointments? I’m 12 weeks and I have missed 2 so far only because I was in the process of finding a doctor who accepted my insurance l, which I found not too long ago. But, has this made anyone nervous if so?

12 comments
K
Kami
if it makes you feel better - sometimes people don’t find out they’re pregnant until 5 months or longer so they obviously miss out on those appointments. don’t stress about it !
27 Mar 2024

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❤️Brielles❤️world❤️
No I can't because I'll have to pay 30$ for every missed appointment it's really not safe because that's the only way we know what's going with our baby try not to miss another some have it to where if you miss so many they'll tell you to make an appointment some where else .
27 Mar 2024

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