9 prenatal checkups that should not be missed

Doctor.CKII Ha Thi Hong Cuc, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7, said that regular prenatal examinations are important for the health of mother and baby. Pregnant mothers who do not have prenatal check-ups will miss defects in the fetus, and will not detect pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, ectopic pregnancy… until it progresses dangerously.

Dr. Cuc recommends that pregnant women have a full prenatal examination according to the 9 milestones below, but some cases may change depending on the doctor’s instructions.

5-8 weeks pregnant

The first examination is at 5-8 weeks of pregnancy. The doctor determines the pregnancy status, the location of the fetus nesting, and records the fetal heart rate. Pregnant women can go to the doctor when their period is two weeks late and there is a two-line pregnancy test result.

8-10 weeks pregnant

If the first examination does not record embryo implantation or the fetal heartbeat is not detected, the doctor will schedule a second examination at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the doctor comprehensively checks the health of the fetus such as the embryo, fetal heart, and fetal nesting position.

11-13 weeks pregnant

Doctors screen and screen for birth defects using ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency, screen for structural abnormalities of the fetus, and detect early defects such as anencephaly and severe heart abnormalities. NIPT test screens for defects related to genetic and chromosomal diseases.

16-18 weeks pregnant

Pregnant women will have an ultrasound to examine the fetus. In cases with a history of premature birth or pregnancies with high risk factors, the length of the cervical canal will be measured.

Pregnancy 20-24 weeks

Doctors monitor the fetus and screen for fetal defects more accurately thanks to second-trimester fetal morphology ultrasound. “The ability to detect about 2/3 of birth defects when examined at this time,” said Dr. Cuc.

24-28 weeks pregnant

The doctor checks weight, tests urine, monitors blood pressure, tests to screen pregnant women for risk of gestational diabetes, and examines the fetus. During this prenatal check-up, if the pregnancy is more than 27 weeks, the pregnant mother can receive the diphtheria – pertussis – tetanus vaccine.

28-32 weeks pregnant

At weeks 28-32, after measuring weight, blood pressure, urine tests, fetal echocardiography, etc., pregnant mothers undergo third-trimester morphological ultrasound to detect late-appearing fetal abnormalities.

32-36 weeks pregnant

Pregnant women need to be examined to check fetal position, fetal development, evaluate fetal weight, and detect cases of small fetuses and slow fetal growth. From this stage, pregnant mothers go for prenatal checkups every two weeks and do other tests depending on each case.

36-40 weeks pregnant

The doctor evaluates the health of the fetus through ultrasound and measures the fetal heart rate at 36-40 weeks of pregnancy. The doctor checks the amniotic fluid, cervix, and pelvis of the pregnant mother to plan a safe birth.

Doctor Cuc recommends the above 9 prenatal check-up milestones for normal pregnancy. Depending on the case, the doctor will rely on the health of the pregnant woman and fetus to schedule an appropriate follow-up examination.