Common Prenatal Care Procedures

Prenatal Care Procedures

Use this glossary to explain common procedures patients, families, and healthcare professionals may hear when discussing prenatal visits, pregnancy testing, fetal assessment, prevention, treatment, and care planning.

Prenatal care, also called antenatal care, may include health assessments, laboratory testing, imaging, genetic screening, fetal monitoring, preventive treatment, education, and referrals. The procedures recommended depend on the pregnant individual’s health, pregnancy history, gestational age, preferences, social needs, and risk factors. Care may be adjusted over time as the pregnancy develops or new concerns arise.

Initial evaluation and prenatal visits

Initial prenatal visit: The first comprehensive visit during pregnancy. It may include a medical and reproductive history, physical examination, risk assessment, laboratory testing, education, and development of a care plan.
Prenatal follow-up visit: A scheduled visit to review symptoms, assess health, monitor pregnancy, complete recommended services, and answer questions.
Medical history review: Reviewing current and past health conditions, surgeries, medications, allergies, family history, mental health, and prior pregnancies.
Reproductive history review: Reviewing prior pregnancies, births, pregnancy losses, complications, fertility treatment, and reproductive health.
Physical examination: An examination guided by the person’s history, symptoms, gestational age, and pregnancy needs.
Blood pressure measurement: Checking blood pressure during pregnancy to monitor health and screen for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Weight measurement: Tracking weight during pregnancy to support assessment of health, nutrition, and pregnancy-related concerns.
Body mass index (BMI) assessment: Using height and weight to calculate BMI as one factor in assessing health risks and care needs.
Urine testing: Testing a urine sample for substances or findings such as protein, glucose, blood, or signs of infection.
Fundal height measurement: Measuring from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus after a certain stage of pregnancy to help monitor fetal growth.
Fetal heart rate assessment: Checking the fetal heart rate with a Doppler device, electronic monitor, or ultrasound when indicated.
Fetal movement assessment: Discussing the fetus’s usual movement pattern and evaluating a reported change in movement.
Mental health screening: Using a questionnaire and clinical discussion to identify depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma-related concerns, or other mental health needs.
Social needs assessment: Discussing factors such as housing, food, transportation, safety, finances, language access, and social support that may affect health or access to care.
Prenatal care planning: Developing an individualized plan for visits, tests, monitoring, education, referrals, and support services.

Routine laboratory tests and screening

Blood sample collection: Drawing blood to perform routine testing, screen for infections, assess blood counts, or evaluate other health conditions.
Complete blood count (CBC): A blood test that measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and related blood-cell information.
Blood type testing: Identifying whether a person’s blood type is A, B, AB, or O.
Rh factor testing: Determining whether a protein called the Rh factor is present on red blood cells.
Antibody screen: A blood test that checks for antibodies that could affect the pregnant individual or fetus, including antibodies related to blood-type incompatibility.
Urinalysis: Testing urine for substances or findings such as protein, glucose, blood, or signs of infection.
Urine culture: Testing a urine sample in a laboratory to identify bacteria that may cause a urinary tract infection.
Rubella immunity testing: A blood test that checks whether a person has protection against rubella.
HIV screening: Testing for human immunodeficiency virus so treatment and steps to reduce transmission to the fetus or newborn can be discussed.
Syphilis screening: Testing for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can affect pregnancy and fetal health if untreated.
Hepatitis B screening: Testing for hepatitis B virus so treatment and newborn preventive care can be planned when needed.
Hepatitis C screening: Testing for hepatitis C virus to identify an infection and guide evaluation and care planning.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening: Testing for infections that may affect the pregnant individual, fetus, or newborn and may require treatment during pregnancy.
Glucose screening test: A test used to screen for gestational diabetes, often performed during the second trimester.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): A blood test performed after drinking a measured glucose solution to evaluate how the body processes sugar.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening: Testing late in pregnancy for bacteria that may be present in the vagina or rectum and can sometimes cause serious infection in a newborn.

Ultrasound and imaging procedures

Ultrasound: An imaging procedure that uses sound waves to create pictures of the uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, cervix, and developing fetus.
Transabdominal ultrasound: An ultrasound performed with a probe moved over the abdomen.
Transvaginal ultrasound: An ultrasound performed with a specially designed probe placed in the vagina to obtain images of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, or early pregnancy.
Dating ultrasound: An ultrasound used to estimate gestational age and support calculation of the estimated due date.
Viability ultrasound: An early ultrasound used to assess whether a pregnancy is developing in the uterus and whether cardiac activity or other signs of development are present when expected.
Nuchal translucency ultrasound: An ultrasound measurement of fluid at the back of the fetal neck that may be used as part of first-trimester screening.
Anatomy scan: A detailed ultrasound examination, often performed during the second trimester, to assess fetal anatomy and development.
Fetal growth ultrasound: An ultrasound used to assess fetal size, growth patterns, amniotic fluid, and related findings.
Doppler ultrasound: An ultrasound technique used to evaluate blood flow through blood vessels or the fetal circulation.
Umbilical artery Doppler: A Doppler ultrasound examination that evaluates blood flow through the umbilical artery when additional fetal assessment is indicated.
Amniotic fluid assessment: Evaluating the amount of fluid surrounding the fetus during an ultrasound examination.
Placental location assessment: Using ultrasound to identify the position of the placenta when relevant to pregnancy care.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An imaging procedure that uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed images when additional information is needed and the healthcare team considers it appropriate.

Prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic procedures

Prenatal genetic screening: Testing that estimates the chance of selected genetic conditions or birth defects but does not by itself confirm a diagnosis.
Cell-free DNA screening: A blood test that analyzes small pieces of placental DNA found in the pregnant individual’s bloodstream to estimate the chance of certain chromosome conditions.
First-trimester screening: A combination of blood tests and ultrasound assessment used to estimate the chance of selected chromosome conditions early in pregnancy.
Second-trimester serum screening: Blood testing performed during the second trimester to estimate the chance of selected chromosome conditions or neural tube defects.
Genetic carrier screening: Testing a person or couple to determine whether they carry a gene for certain inherited conditions that could affect a child.
Diagnostic testing: Testing that can help determine whether a specific genetic condition or other condition is present. Diagnostic tests may carry risks and should be discussed with the healthcare team.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): A diagnostic procedure that collects a small sample of placental tissue for genetic testing.
Amniocentesis: A diagnostic procedure that uses a needle to collect a small sample of amniotic fluid for genetic or other testing.
Genetic counseling: Professional guidance that helps a person understand genetic risks, testing options, possible results, limitations, and choices.
Carrier screening counseling: Discussion of family history, test limitations, possible results, and reproductive options before or after carrier screening.

Fetal monitoring and well-being procedures

Fetal movement counting: Tracking fetal movements over a period of time to identify a meaningful change from the usual pattern.
Nonstress test (NST): A test that monitors fetal heart rate and movement, usually during the later part of pregnancy.
Electronic fetal monitoring: Using external sensors to record fetal heart rate and, when needed, uterine contractions.
Biophysical profile (BPP): A test that combines ultrasound observations and fetal heart-rate monitoring to assess fetal well-being.
Modified biophysical profile: A fetal assessment that commonly combines an ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid with a nonstress test.
Contraction stress test: A test that evaluates how the fetal heart rate responds to uterine contractions when this assessment is clinically indicated.
Antenatal fetal surveillance: Monitoring performed before birth to assess fetal well-being when there is a medical or pregnancy-related reason.
Fetal growth assessment: Evaluating fetal size and growth over time using fundal height, ultrasound, or another method.
Fetal presentation assessment: Determining the position of the fetus, such as head-down or breech, through physical examination or ultrasound.
Fetal viability assessment: Using gestational age, ultrasound, cardiac activity, and clinical information to assess development and the possibility of survival outside the uterus with medical support.

Preventive care and treatments during pregnancy

Prenatal vitamin counseling: Reviewing supplements that may contain folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamin D, and other nutrients recommended during pregnancy.
Folic acid supplementation: Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy to help reduce the risk of certain neural tube defects.
Iron supplementation: Taking iron to prevent or treat iron-deficiency anemia when recommended by a healthcare professional.
Vaccination during pregnancy: Receiving recommended vaccines to protect the pregnant individual and, in some cases, provide protection to the newborn after birth.
Rh immune globulin administration: Giving medication to eligible Rh-negative pregnant individuals to reduce the risk of developing antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells.
Low-dose aspirin therapy: Taking low-dose aspirin when recommended for selected pregnant individuals at increased risk of preeclampsia.
Antihypertensive therapy: Using medication to treat high blood pressure when treatment is indicated during pregnancy.
Insulin therapy: Using insulin to manage blood glucose when it is needed during pregnancy.
Antenatal corticosteroid administration: Giving corticosteroid medication in selected situations when preterm birth is expected, to help support fetal lung development.
Nutrition counseling: Guidance about food, nutrients, weight gain, food safety, and hydration during pregnancy.
Exercise counseling: Guidance about physical activity that is appropriate for the person’s health, pregnancy, and clinical circumstances.
Medication review: Reviewing prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and exposures to identify treatments that may need to be continued, changed, or avoided.

Procedures for selected pregnancy conditions

Cervical examination: Examining the cervix when symptoms or a pregnancy-related concern make this assessment appropriate.
Cervical length measurement: Using transvaginal ultrasound to measure the cervix when there is a concern about the risk of preterm birth.
Cervical cerclage: Placing stitches around the cervix to help keep it closed in selected pregnancies at risk of cervical insufficiency or early cervical opening.
External cephalic version (ECV): Applying pressure to the abdomen to try to turn a fetus from a breech or sideways position to a head-down position before birth.
Amnioreduction: Removing a measured amount of amniotic fluid with a needle when there is excessive fluid and symptoms or medical concerns warrant treatment.
Fetal blood sampling: Collecting a small fetal blood sample for specialized testing when other assessments do not provide enough information and the procedure is clinically indicated.
Intrauterine transfusion: Giving blood to a fetus through the umbilical cord or another route to treat selected cases of severe fetal anemia.
Hospital admission: Keeping a pregnant individual in the hospital for continued monitoring, treatment, or evaluation.
Maternal-fetal medicine referral: Referring a pregnant individual to a specialist for complex medical, fetal, or pregnancy-related needs.
Specialist consultation: Requesting evaluation or recommendations from a healthcare professional with expertise in a particular condition or procedure.

Prenatal education and care delivery

Prenatal education: Providing information about pregnancy changes, nutrition, exercise, warning signs, childbirth, feeding, newborn care, and available support.
Birth preparedness counseling: Discussing the place of birth, transportation, support people, emergency contacts, supplies, and plans for possible complications.
Childbirth education: Instruction about labor, birth, pain-management options, medical interventions, and early care after birth.
Breastfeeding education: Discussing feeding goals, lactation, positioning, latch, milk expression, and available support before birth.
Group prenatal care: Providing prenatal visits in a group setting that combines individual clinical assessment with education and peer support.
Telehealth prenatal visit: Providing a prenatal appointment by video or telephone when the required assessment or service can be completed safely outside the clinic.
Remote monitoring: Tracking selected health measures, such as blood pressure or weight, from home with guidance from a healthcare team.
Interpreter or language-access service: Providing qualified language support so the pregnant individual can understand information and participate in care decisions.
Social-service referral: Connecting a person with resources for housing, food, transportation, safety, financial needs, mental health, or other concerns.
Care coordination: Organizing communication among healthcare professionals, facilities, support services, and the pregnant individual.

Follow-up and next steps

Test-result review: Discussing the meaning, limitations, and next steps related to laboratory, imaging, genetic, or fetal-monitoring results.
Follow-up appointment: A planned visit to review symptoms, test results, treatment response, fetal growth, or ongoing pregnancy needs.
Return precautions: Specific warning signs that mean a pregnant individual should contact the healthcare team or seek urgent medical care.
Urgent evaluation: Prompt assessment for concerns such as heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizure, fever, leaking fluid, or a significant change in fetal movement.
Care transition: Coordinating movement from routine prenatal care to maternal-fetal medicine, hospital care, labor and birth care, or postpartum care.
Postpartum care planning: Discussing recovery, mental health, feeding, contraception, chronic conditions, support, and follow-up before birth.
Postnatal referral: Arranging ongoing care for the birthing individual or newborn after birth.

The exact procedures used in prenatal care vary according to the pregnant individual’s health, gestational age, pregnancy history, clinical findings, available services, and personal preferences. A healthcare professional can explain the purpose, expected benefits, possible risks, alternatives, and follow-up for a procedure whenever the situation allows.