How Often to Visit the Gynecologist During Pregnancy

Visiting a gynecologist during pregnancy is mandatory as it helps rule out potential health issues for the expectant mother and fetal pathologies. The first visit to the doctor should be made as soon as there is a suspicion of pregnancy, and thereafter, the frequency of visits will be determined by the doctor based on medical indications. It’s worth noting that additional visits to other specialists will be necessary, along with undergoing certain examinations. 

Consultation with a gynecologist during pregnancy is mandatory from the very first weeks. In a normal pregnancy, it is necessary to see a doctor at least 7 times throughout the entire period of carrying the child. The frequency is determined by the overall condition of the expectant mother and the presence of any pathologies. 

It is mandatory not only to have consultations but also to undergo scheduled examinations. It is also necessary to have several ultrasounds at different stages of pregnancy. At the first appointment, the attending physician examines the woman to confirm the pregnancy. 

Features of the first examination 

During the first visit to the gynecologist, the pregnancy is confirmed. For this purpose, it is also possible to perform an ultrasound of the pelvic organs. The doctor conducts an interview to identify any complaints and collects somatic and gynecological history. This includes:

• information about heredity;
• information about health status;
• past illnesses;
• past medical procedures;
• age of menstrual onset;
• gynecological diseases;
• information about previous pregnancies.

A medical record is also required to be filled out. A gynecological consultation during pregnancy involves providing certain recommendations. It is necessary to strictly adhere to them. Additional laboratory and instrumental tests are prescribed.

When to go

Before your first visit to the gynecologist, it is advisable to mark in your women’s calendar the days when the menstruation started and how long it lasted. If the cycle is irregular, this should also be noted. Many specialists believe that menstruation days are most risky and gynecological exams should be avoided during them. With this in mind, the optimal time for the first visit is considered to be the 8th week from the first day of the last menstruation. There is one important condition: the expectant mother should not be experiencing any discomfort or notice any suspicious discharge.  

Tips for Preparation

Preparing for a visit to the gynecologist does not require any special actions. Moreover, it is no different from preparing for an examination under normal circumstances. It is only necessary to follow these recommendations: 

• avoid sexual intercourse one day before visiting the doctor;
• take a shower in the evening (ideally, a few hours before) the day before the appointment;
• wear comfortable cotton underwear that can be easily and quickly removed;
• pubic hair removal in the bikini area is not necessary as it does not interfere with the examination.

The examination itself lasts up to 5 minutes. During the initial visit, the attending physician focuses on taking a medical history and determining the condition of the expectant mother and how the fetus is developing. 

Additional Doctors You Need to Visit

In addition to the gynecologist, you need to be examined by certain specialists. For convenience, the table provides a list of doctors and indicates the frequency of visits. 

Necessary tests and measurements at the first appointment

Examinations during pregnancy include not only visits to the gynecologist for examinations but also undergoing ultrasounds and taking certain laboratory tests. All of this allows assessing the health condition of the woman, how the pregnancy is progressing and the baby is developing. The general well-being of the expectant mother can be determined even at the initial consultation stage.

During pregnancy, many hormones affect the body. Among them, the following hormones play a special role:

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• hCG. It is produced only during pregnancy, and its level rises significantly during the first trimester. This hormone allows determining the duration of pregnancy and monitoring its progression. It is also intended for excluding ectopic pregnancy and detecting multiple pregnancies;
• Estrogens. A group of hormones produced by the ovaries and placenta. The course of the pregnancy directly depends on them;
• Progesterone. A hormone whose function is to prepare the uterine lining for the attachment of a fertilized egg.

The first trimester, specifically up to the 12th week of pregnancy, is the most important for the development of the fetus. It is during this period that organs and systems are formed. At this stage of pregnancy, the following tests are recommended:

• complete blood count and urinalysis;
• glucose test;
• blood biochemistry test;
• blood for ferritin;
• blood coagulation test.

Additionally, the blood group of the expectant mother and her Rh factor are necessarily determined (this plays an important role in planning labor activity). Traditionally, uterine microflora is studied, and a cytological smear is taken.

The list of necessary tests also includes blood tests to exclude the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, it is mandatory to take tests to determine thyroid hormone levels and to identify possible developmental defects before visiting the gynecologist.

Ultrasound and consultation with a diagnostic doctor are aimed at establishing the presence of pregnancy itself, the number of fetuses, fetal heart activity, and the structural features of the uterus. 

Recommendations for Regular Doctor Visits

The frequency of visits to the gynecologist during pregnancy is determined on an individual basis, depending on medical indications. Typically, you should do this at least 7 times during the pregnancy. In the first trimester, visiting the gynecologist is usually scheduled once every 4 weeks. At each appointment, complaints are identified, and examinations of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive systems, and breasts are conducted, along with weighing.

Additionally, clinical laboratory examinations are prescribed. In the second trimester, the frequency of visits to the gynecologist decreases to once every three weeks. At each consultation, complaints are identified, tests are conducted, and a general examination is performed. 

Closer to the third trimester, it is necessary to visit the doctor once every two weeks. During this period, attention is given not only to conducting the primary examination, but also to measuring the abdominal circumference, the height of the uterine fundus, and the uterine tone. Palpation of the fetus is performed, and the fetal heartbeat is analyzed using a stethoscope. 

Every expectant mother should remember that visiting the gynecologist during pregnancy is mandatory. This helps prevent any possible deviations in both the mother and her child. 

What the frequency of doctor visits depends on 

The frequency of gynecologist visits throughout the pregnancy should be at least 7 times, ideally around 10-12. After the first examination, it is necessary to come back in 7-10 days with all the required tests, a therapist’s findings, and those of other specialists. Sometimes, the duration for completion is extended. Subsequently, weekly gynecologist visits are scheduled for the duration of the pregnancy. 

Until the 28th week, it is necessary to visit the doctor once a month, after that twice a month. Once the 37th week arrives, you should see the doctor every 7-10 days. If any pathologies are detected, visits to the gynecologist will be scheduled more frequently. 

Necessary tests, measurements, and examinations by weeks

Depending on the week of pregnancy, the necessary tests, measurements, and frequency of gynecologist visits vary. To navigate all this more easily, you should use this table.

Thus, it is worth remembering that during pregnancy, examinations are not limited to the visit to the attending physician. Additionally, a series of studies are required, all necessary tests must be taken, and an ultrasound must be conducted. This will fully exclude any possible pathologies in both the future mother and her child. 

The pregnancy period is very delicate for every woman. Often expectant mothers feel anxious before their first doctor’s visit, as this is when pregnancy is confirmed. To prepare for the examination, certain recommendations should be followed. This also applies to all examinations and tests prescribed not only by the gynecologist but also by other specialists.