# Antenatal Care > At which weeks are check-ups done in pregnancy, what is looked at each time and which tests are requested? The guideline recommendation on routine ultrasound in the third trimester. In a pregnancy that runs without problems, the number and timing of check-ups are set. **About 10 check-ups are expected for those in a first pregnancy and 7 for those who have given birth before.** **In short:** Antenatal care is the check-ups and tests carried out at set weeks throughout pregnancy. In a pregnancy that runs without problems, about 10 check-ups are expected for those in a first pregnancy and 7 for those who have given birth before; the booking visit is recommended before week 10. At every check-up blood pressure is measured, the urine is tested for protein and the baby's heart sounds are listened to. This schedule is based on international guidelines; national programmes differ. The schedule below is based on **international guidelines**. National antenatal care programmes differ between countries; ask your doctor about your own plan. ## The check-up schedule | Week | What is done | | --- | --- | | Before week 10 | The booking visit (by week 14 at the latest) | | 11–14 | First trimester ultrasound and screening test | | 16 | Routine check-up | | 18–21 | Detailed ultrasound | | 25 | First pregnancy only | | 28 | An important check-up — blood tests are repeated | | 31 | First pregnancy only | | 34 | Routine check-up | | 36 | The check-up at which the birth plan is settled | | 38 | Routine check-up | | 40 | First pregnancy only | | 41 | Assessment for going past the date and planning of the birth | ## What is done at every check-up? - **Measuring blood pressure and testing the urine for protein** — done **at every visit** to screen for pre-eclampsia. - **Measuring the height of the womb** — measured over the abdomen with a tape and plotted on a growth chart. It is generally done at every check-up **from the week 28 visit onwards**. - **Listening to the baby's heart sounds.** - **Asking about the baby's movements** — asked at every check-up, particularly **after week 28**. - Assessment of general condition, sleep pattern and complaints such as swelling (oedema). **Measuring the height of the womb is not reliable in everyone.** In those with a body mass index above 35, or with a large fibroid in the womb, this measurement can be misleading; these women are followed up directly **by ultrasound**. ## The tests requested ### At the booking visit - **Blood group and antibody screening** — for blood group incompatibility - **Full blood count** — for anaemia. In the first three months a haemoglobin **below 11 g/dL** is regarded as anaemia. - **Infection screening:** HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis — offered to every pregnant woman in order to prevent transmission to the baby. - **Urine culture** — to detect a urinary tract infection that is causing no symptoms - **Measurement of exposure to smoking** and **assessment of mental health** Guidelines **do not recommend routine screening in the general pregnant population** for chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, genital herpes and hepatitis C — these are requested according to the level of risk. ### At weeks 11–14 By combining the measurement of the thickness at the back of the neck with two values in the mother's blood, a **risk calculation for chromosomal differences** is made. In the same period, by combining the mother's risk factors, blood pressure, Doppler of the uterine arteries and a blood value, a **risk calculation for pre-eclampsia** can also be made. ### At weeks 24–28 - **Glucose tolerance test** — carried out in those with risk factors (excess weight, diabetes in the family, gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy and so on). - **The full blood count is repeated.** The threshold for anaemia is different in this period: a haemoglobin **below 10.5 g/dL**. - **Antibody screening is repeated** — in everyone, whatever their blood group. **A critical detail for Rh-negative women:** this blood sample must be taken **immediately before the anti-D injection is given**. Getting the order wrong makes the result difficult to interpret. ### At weeks 35–37 If screening is to be done, taking a **group B streptococcus culture** is recommended in these weeks, in order to determine the risk of transmission to the baby at birth and the need for antibiotics. ## How is growth followed in the third trimester? In the last three months the baby's growth is followed at the examination by **measuring the height of the womb** and plotting it on a growth chart. Ultrasound is used to complete the assessment. **Situations in which ultrasound is particularly requested:** - **A plateau or a deviation from the chart** in the measurement of the height of the womb - **A reduction in the baby's movements** - A newly developed condition in the mother — such as high blood pressure or bleeding - Situations in which the measurement is not reliable — a high body mass index or a large fibroid in the womb The follow-up plan is different in higher-risk pregnancies; see [High-Risk Pregnancy](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/riskli-gebelik/). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How many check-ups will I have? In a pregnancy that runs without problems, **about 10 check-ups are expected for those in a first pregnancy** and **7 for those who have given birth before**. It is recommended that the booking visit take place **before week 10** (by week 14 at the latest). ### What is done at every check-up? **Blood pressure is measured and the urine tested for protein** (screening for pre-eclampsia), the baby's heart sounds are listened to, generally from week 28 the **height of the womb** is measured and plotted on a growth chart, and **the baby's movements are asked about, particularly after week 28.** ### Is measuring the height of the womb reliable in everyone? No. In those with a **body mass index above 35** or with a large fibroid in the womb, this measurement can be misleading. These women are followed up directly **by ultrasound**. ### Which tests are requested at the first visit? Blood group and antibody screening, a full blood count, screening for **HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis**, a urine culture, measurement of exposure to smoking and assessment of mental health. Guidelines **do not recommend routine screening in the general pregnant population** for chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, genital herpes and hepatitis C — these are requested according to the level of risk. ### Is the glucose tolerance test done for everyone? In the guidelines the test is carried out **in those with risk factors** between weeks 24 and 28: excess weight, diabetes in the family, gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy and so on. National programmes differ; ask your doctor about your own situation. ### I am Rh negative — what should be watched at week 28? Antibody screening is repeated in this week, and there is a **critical order**: the blood sample must be taken **immediately before the anti-D injection is given**. Getting the order wrong makes the result difficult to interpret. ### In which situations is an ultrasound requested in the last months? In the last three months growth is followed at the examination by **measuring the height of the womb**; ultrasound is used to complete the assessment. The situations in which it is particularly requested: **a plateau or deviation from the chart** in the measurement, **a reduction in the baby's movements**, a newly developed condition in the mother (high blood pressure, bleeding), and situations in which the measurement is not reliable. ### Why does the threshold for anaemia change? Because the volume of blood increases in pregnancy, so the values naturally fall. In the **first three months** a haemoglobin below 11 g/dL is regarded as anaemia, while **around week 28** the figure is below 10.5 g/dL. For this reason the same value is interpreted differently at different weeks. ## Sources 1. NICE and RCOG antenatal care guidelines — the schedule of visits, the assessments made at each check-up and the screening tests. 2. British Society for Haematology (BSH) — thresholds for anaemia in pregnancy and monitoring of red cell antibodies; the order of sampling in anti-D administration. The information on this page is based on the national and international guidelines listed above. The page is reviewed whenever those guidelines are updated. ## Practice and Contact Details The information on this page is general. Please speak to your doctor about your own situation. - **Doctor**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology - **Address**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya - **Telephone**0505 351 77 88 - **Hours**Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday [← All treatments](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/) --- Original page: https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/gebelik-takibi/ Last updated: 2026-09-29 Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya 0505 351 77 88 · Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday *This information is for general guidance only and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment.*