Free family guide · Early pregnancy

Your first prenatal appointment: what to expect

NICHD says the first prenatal visit usually happens after about week 8, and that it is one of the longest visits.[1]

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Sources on this page: NICHD; WHO; ACOG; MedlinePlus

This page shares what health organizations say. It is not medical advice. It is general information. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pediatrician about your own situation.

In an emergency, call 911.

When it happens

NICHD says the first visit usually happens after about week 8.[1]

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a first contact within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.[2]

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says to start prenatal care in the first trimester, and that before 10 weeks after your last period is ideal.[3]

What the visit often includes

NICHD says the first visit often includes:[1]

  • a urine test;[1]
  • blood pressure, weight and height;[1]
  • working out your due date;[1]
  • questions about your health and your family's health history;[1]
  • blood tests for blood type, Rh factor, blood count, hepatitis B, HIV, rubella and syphilis;[1]
  • a pelvic exam with tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia, and a Pap and/or HPV test;[1]
  • possibly an ultrasound, and an offer of genetic screening.[1]

ACOG says prenatal visits usually include blood pressure, weight, a measure of the belly called fundal height, and the baby's heartbeat.[3]

The prenatal blood and urine tests

MedlinePlus lists these tests in the first-trimester prenatal panel:[4]

  • complete blood count (CBC);[4]
  • blood type and Rh;[4]
  • rubella;[4]
  • hepatitis A, B and C;[4]
  • syphilis and HIV;[4]
  • cystic fibrosis carrier screening;[4]
  • urinalysis and urine culture.[4]

MedlinePlus says a first-trimester ultrasound, often done through the vagina, helps estimate the due date.[4]

Screening is your choice

MedlinePlus says prenatal testing is optional and is your decision, made with your provider.[5]

It says a screening test estimates risk, and an abnormal result means more information is needed.[5] It says a diagnostic test confirms whether a condition is present.[5]

Visits after the first one

For a healthy pregnancy, NICHD describes visits once a month until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, then every week until birth.[1]

MedlinePlus says people with a high-risk pregnancy, or who are over 35, may need more visits.[6]

WHO recommends at least 8 contacts during pregnancy.[2]

Getting ready for the visit

  • ACOG says to bring the first day of your last period, which is used to set the due date.[3]
  • ACOG says to bring a list of your medicines, vitamins and supplements, your health conditions and past surgeries, and your past pregnancies.[3]
  • NICHD says the visit includes questions about your family's health history, so it can help to ask relatives before you go.[1]
  • MedlinePlus says testing is optional, so you can ask which tests are offered and what each one is for.[5]
  • NICHD says the visit includes working out your due date, so you can ask how it was set.[1]

Questions families ask

When is the first prenatal appointment?

NICHD says it usually happens after about week 8.[1] WHO recommends a first contact within the first 12 weeks.[2]

What tests happen at the first prenatal visit?

NICHD lists a urine test and blood tests for blood type, Rh factor, blood count, hepatitis B, HIV, rubella and syphilis.[1] It also lists a pelvic exam with tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia, and a Pap and/or HPV test.[1]

Will I have an ultrasound at the first visit?

NICHD says the first visit may include an ultrasound.[1] MedlinePlus says a first-trimester ultrasound helps estimate the due date.[4]

Do I have to have genetic screening?

MedlinePlus says prenatal testing is optional and is your decision, made with your provider.[5]

Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages

Updated 2026-10-24: first published.

Sources

All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.

  1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH). What happens during prenatal visits?. Checked October 24, 2026.
  2. World Health Organization. New guidelines on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience (news release, Nov 7, 2016). Checked October 24, 2026.
  3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Prenatal Care. Checked October 24, 2026.
  4. MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Prenatal care in your first trimester. Checked October 24, 2026.
  5. MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Prenatal Testing. Checked October 24, 2026.
  6. MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Prenatal Care. Checked October 24, 2026.