How many check-ups and when? Your antenatal care timeline

Pregnancy is less a single appointment than a companionship along the way. Antenatal care is a series of check-ins that listen to you and your baby, answer your questions and, when needed, catch things early.

How many visits are recommended?

The Turkish Ministry of Health antenatal care guideline recommends at least four visits in a pregnancy that is going smoothly. The visits are scheduled by pregnancy week, and each one has its own purpose. In higher-risk pregnancies there may be more than four; your doctor decides this.

Four visits, four stops

• Visit 1 (within the first 14 weeks): Your history, an examination, blood and urine tests and information about screening tests. If the pregnancy is found after week 14, the first visit happens at that point.
• Visit 2 (weeks 18–24): Your baby's growth and heartbeat and your general health are checked; a basic ultrasound and any further tests are planned.
• Visit 3 (weeks 28–32): Urine and blood values are reviewed, the glucose tolerance test is planned and, if relevant, Rh precautions are discussed. Preparation for birth and afterwards begins. Some sources place this visit a little later; go by the guideline itself and your doctor's plan.
• Visit 4 (weeks 36–38): Your baby's position, the way of giving birth, signs of labour and when to go to the hospital are discussed.

What happens in between?

These four visits are the backbone of the schedule. Between them, tests planned according to the guideline take place: blood group and Rh, a blood count, urine tests, infection screening, the combined test, the glucose tolerance test and so on. Which test happens when can vary from person to person; your doctor or midwife will draw you a roadmap.

If an early ultrasound is offered, it usually takes place between weeks 6 and 10 and helps confirm where the pregnancy is, the heartbeat and the gestational age.

When the pregnancy is higher risk

Twins, earlier complications, long-term conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or age can mean more frequent visits. That does not mean something is going wrong; it simply gives extra chances to look more closely. For your personal schedule, your doctor's advice comes first.

What you can do

• Try to book the first visit as soon as you know you are pregnant; there is no need to wait for week 14.
• Jot down the date of your last period, medicines and vitamins you take, and your medical and birth history.
• Write your questions on paper or on your phone; forgetting them in the room is very common.
• Bring earlier test results and reports to every visit.
• Your partner or someone you trust can come along if you like.
• You can use the screening calendar in the app as a reminder, but your official appointment plan is the one your doctor gives you.

When to contact your doctor

Do not wait for the next scheduled visit if you notice:

• Vaginal bleeding, a sudden gush of fluid or severe abdominal pain
• Severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face or hands
• Fever, chills or burning when you pass urine
• A clear drop in your baby's movements (once you have started to feel them)
• Shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting

In a serious or sudden situation, call 112. This article is for information only; for your personal schedule, the advice of your doctor or midwife comes first.