Prenatal Care Appointments - Pregnancy Doctor Visits - Midwifery Care

Between 36-40 weeks of pregnancy you are likely to have several prenatal care appointment. In fact, you are likely to have at least two prenatal visits. You are now being seen every other week. Here is what a prenatal appointment may look like:

• Urine sample to screen for sugar and protein
• Record your weight
• Listen for baby's heart beat
• Palpate to check baby's position (vertex, breech, posterior, etc.)
• Measure your fundal height to check baby's growth
• Questions about baby's movements
• Check your blood pressure

You will continue to be seen every other week until about the 41st week of pregnancy, at which point you may be seen every few days until your baby is born. Your visits are fairly routine with very few extra tests being performed.

You may also have an ultrasound to tell you determine what position the baby is in at this point. They will also try to predict the size of your baby. This is usually not very accurate. It is not recommended that you have an induction of labor based on the size of your baby.

If you are having a home birth, you may have a home visit during this time frame if your midwife doesn't do her normal prenatal visits there. You will be able to give her a tour of your home and answer questions she may have about where everything is located.