Pregnancy Monitoring

Prenatal care is extremely important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy and ensuring a comfortable delivery. It begins as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed. In a singleton pregnancy, follow-up visits are recommended every two weeks during the first three months.

In the following stages, if the doctor does not recommend otherwise, check-ups are typically scheduled once a month. During these visits, both potential pregnancy risks and the overall health of the mother are evaluated. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least eight prenatal visits during pregnancy to reduce perinatal complications and improve the birth experience. If risk factors such as advanced maternal age, being underweight or overweight, hypertension, diabetes, anemia, or uterine abnormalities are present, the frequency of monitoring may be increased.

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A holistic prenatal care approach that prioritizes the health of both mother and baby at every stage forms the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and a positive birth experience.

When Can the Baby Be Seen on Ultrasound?

The gestational sac can usually be seen via ultrasound around the 5th week of pregnancy. It appears as a fluid-filled structure. By the 6th–7th week, the baby’s heartbeat can typically be detected.

What Tests Are Performed During the First Examination?

During the first visit, several diagnostic tests are performed. These include the indirect Coombs test (in cases of blood incompatibility), blood type determination, complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, urine analysis and culture, thyroid function tests, and serological screenings for infections such as hepatitis and TORCH (e.g., rubella and toxoplasmosis).

For more details, you can visit our page on frequently asked questions about pregnancy and childbirth.

Prenatal Check-Up Schedule

• Weeks 6–8: Confirmation of pregnancy, location of the embryo, whether it is a singleton or multiple pregnancy, and initial blood and urine tests.
• Weeks 10–14: Nuchal translucency measurement via ultrasound and first-trimester screening. If results are high-risk, amniocentesis may be required. Alternatively, NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) can be performed to assess genetic conditions such as Down syndrome with high accuracy.
• Weeks 16–18: Quadruple screening test and ultrasound evaluation. If results are high-risk, further diagnostic testing may be needed.
• Weeks 20–24: Detailed ultrasound (anomaly scan) to evaluate organ development. Approximately 80% of anomalies can be detected during this period.
• Weeks 24–28: Glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes.
• Week 28: Administration of Anti-D immunoglobulin in cases of blood incompatibility.
• Weeks 28–36: Routine ultrasound follow-ups, monitoring of maternal weight, blood pressure, and possible infections.
• After Week 36: Planning of delivery method and regular CTG/NST monitoring of the baby.
• After Week 41: Close monitoring every 2–3 days and possible induction of labor if necessary.

For more information about the birth process, you can visit our page on natural childbirth.

Prenatal Care in Istanbul

Comprehensive prenatal care considers not only medical aspects but also the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the expectant mother. Personalized care plans help support both maternal health and the baby’s development in the best possible way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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  When should I start prenatal care?

  It is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test or suspect pregnancy. The first examination usually takes place between weeks 6–8.

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  When is the NIPT test performed?

  The test can be performed from the 10th week of pregnancy and provides highly accurate screening results.

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  When is the anomaly scan performed?

  The detailed ultrasound is typically carried out between weeks 20–24.

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  When is the glucose test done?

  The gestational diabetes screening is usually performed between weeks 24–28.

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  Where can I get reliable prenatal care?

  You can receive comprehensive care from specialized obstetrics clinics that provide personalized pregnancy follow-up services.

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Recommendations on antenatal care.
2. Taylor-Phillips, S., et al. (2016). Accuracy of NIPT testing study.