When you’re pregnant, it can feel like everything you thought you knew about your body is changing. New symptoms, new information, and new questions can come up almost daily. It’s a lot to take in, but prenatal care helps make it more manageable.
Prenatal care is the healthcare you receive throughout pregnancy for both you and your baby. It allows your OB/GYN to monitor your health, track your baby’s development, and address any concerns early on. These regular visits help ensure your pregnancy is progressing safely while keeping you informed every step of the way.
If you choose to work with a midwife, your care may also take a more holistic approach. Working in tandem with medical monitoring, midwifery care often focuses on education, emotional support, and personalized guidance throughout your pregnancy.
What is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care is the medical support you receive throughout pregnancy to care for both you and your baby. It involves regular visits with a healthcare provider and typically includes:
- Physical exams
- Routine screenings (blood pressure, weight, gestational diabetes, and more)
- Monitoring your baby’s development (such as ultrasounds and, if you choose, genetic screening)
- Education and guidance
- Ongoing support
Prenatal care serves a few key purposes. First, it helps detect potential concerns early, giving your care team time to respond if needed. Second, regular check-ins allow providers to monitor your health and your baby’s development, helping reduce risks during pregnancy. And third, these visits give you a consistent place to ask questions, get support, and prepare for birth and postpartum life.
Prenatal Care During the Trimesters of Pregnancy
There are key milestones throughout pregnancy that help providers understand how your baby is developing and how your body is doing. These check-ins guide a care plan that’s tailored to you.
While these check-ins can be helpful for some, it’s also important to remember that most testing is optional. For example, you can choose whether or not to have genetic testing or learn your baby’s sex. What matters most is that you understand what each test looks for and what the results may mean, so you can make informed decisions about your care.
First Trimester (Weeks 1-13)
During the first trimester, you’ll meet with your prenatal care provider a few times. These early visits are important for gathering information that will guide the rest of your pregnancy.
At your first appointment, your provider will review your overall health. This includes your medical history, family health history, past pregnancies, menstrual cycle, lifestyle, and any medications you’re taking. They’ll also perform a physical exam, run routine prenatal labs, and estimate your due date. This visit is usually longer than future appointments.
One exciting milestone during this trimester is hearing your baby’s heartbeat, which typically happens around 10–12 weeks of pregnancy.
If you choose, genetic screening can also take place during the first trimester. One common option is the nuchal translucency screening, usually done between 11–13 weeks. A fetal medicine doctor uses an ultrasound to measure fluid at the back of the baby’s neck. It can help assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions, like Down syndrome.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14-27)
In the second trimester, appointments are usually scheduled about once a month. Your provider will continue to monitor your blood pressure, weight, and your baby’s growth.
Around 18–22 weeks, you’ll have an anatomy scan. This detailed ultrasound checks your baby’s development and organs. It’s also when you may be able to learn the baby’s sex, if you choose to.
Screening for gestational diabetes typically happens between 24–28 weeks. During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can make it harder for your body to use insulin effectively. Many people don’t notice symptoms, which is why routine screening is important.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40+)
During the third trimester, your visits will become more frequent. Your provider will closely monitor your blood pressure, your baby’s position, and overall wellbeing. This is also when you’ll start discussing your birth plan, feeding preferences, and postpartum care.
The Tdap vaccine is recommended during this time to help protect your baby from whooping cough. When given during pregnancy, it allows protective antibodies to pass to your baby before birth.
Between 35–37 weeks, you’ll be tested for Group B strep with a simple swab. This bacteria is common and usually harmless for adults, but it can affect babies during delivery. If you test positive, your care team will take steps during labor to reduce the risk of transmission.
As you approach your due date, your provider may check your cervix to assess how your body is preparing for labor. If your pregnancy goes beyond 40 weeks, they may monitor amniotic fluid levels and discuss options like induction to help safely move things forward.
5 Ways a Midwife Can Support Your Prenatal Care
Working with a midwife during pregnancy can offer support that goes beyond routine medical care. Their role is to help you feel informed and confident at every stage.
1. Preconception and early pregnancy guidance
A midwife can help you prepare even before pregnancy begins, or guide you through those early weeks. This includes understanding your health, discussing fertility, and helping you start pregnancy with a strong foundation.
2. Review of labs, ultrasounds, and medical recommendations
As you receive test results and recommendations from your provider, a midwife can help you understand what they mean. They can walk you through your labs, explain findings from ultrasounds, and provide clarity so nothing feels confusing or overwhelming.
3. Discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives
Every decision during pregnancy comes with options. A midwife helps you look at the full picture by breaking down the risks, benefits, and alternatives, like home birth vs hospital birth, so you can make choices that feel right for you and your baby.
4. Advocacy and decision-support coaching
Appointments can move quickly, and it’s not always easy to speak up in the moment. Midwives help you prepare for those conversations, offering guidance on how to ask questions, express your preferences, and advocate for your care.
5. Nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle support
Your daily habits play a big role in your pregnancy. Midwives can offer guidance on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle choices to support both your health and your baby’s development.
What to Expect During Your First Prenatal Care Consultation with Midwife360?
Your first pregnancy consultation session with Midwife360 is designed to give you a strong starting point for your pregnancy journey. Hosted virtually, this prenatal visit is typically more in-depth than a standard appointment, allowing time to fully understand your needs and goals.
During your session, our certified midwife will review your health history, including any past pregnancies, current symptoms, present medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and any care you’ve already received. If you have lab results, ultrasound reports, or recommendations from another provider, these can be reviewed together so you have a clear understanding of what they mean.
You’ll also have space to ask questions and talk through any concerns. Whether you’re feeling unsure about next steps, overwhelmed by information, or simply want a second perspective, this is a time for open and honest conversation.
Our midwife may also begin discussing your options moving forward, including different approaches to care, testing choices, and what support could look like throughout your pregnancy. The goal is to help you feel informed and confident in the decisions ahead.
By the end of the session, you should walk away with a clearer picture of your pregnancy, a better understanding of your options, and a plan that feels aligned with your needs.
Feel Empowered in Pregnancy with Guidance from Our Midwife in Florida
Pregnancy is full of changes, questions, and decisions. Prenatal care helps you stay informed, monitor your health, and support your baby’s development at every stage. Our midwife, Fadwah Halaby, A-APRN at Midwife360, can provide an added layer of guidance.
From your first virtual pregnancy consultation to the milestones of each trimester, we help you understand your options and make confident decisions. Whether you’re exploring home birth for specific circumstances or simply want a more holistic approach to care, Midwife360 is here for you.
