Pregnancy follow-up aims to protect the health of the expectant mother throughout pregnancy and to ensure that the baby comes into the world healthy. Pregnancy follow-up starts as soon as pregnancy is diagnosed. At the end of approximately 2 weeks after the diagnosis of pregnancy, the gestational sac can be visualised by ultrasound. During this period, ectopic pregnancy is checked. Approximately 1-2 weeks later, the baby's heartbeat can be detected by vaginal ultrasound. Blood and urine tests are then performed to determine the general condition of the mother. It is determined whether there is a risk for diabetes, thyroid disease and blood incompatibility.
Frequency of pregnancy follow-up
If there is a single baby, pregnancy follow-up every 2-3 weeks for the first 3 months is appropriate. In multiple pregnancies, follow-up is continued at frequent intervals in cases of maternal illness and recurrent miscarriage. The determinant of the follow-up period here is the risks and health status of the pregnant woman. If the risk factors in the mother are that the mother is older or younger, too fat or too thin, hypertension, diabetes, anaemia and uterine abnormalities, follow-ups are carried out differently and more frequently.
Weekly check-ups during pregnancy
- The nuchal thickness of the baby is checked by ultrasound at 10-14 weeks. A double screening test is performed. Thus, diseases such as Down Syndrome can be diagnosed early.
- In the 16-18th weeks, a triple screening test is requested from the pregnant woman. The baby is evaluated by ultrasound. If the triple screening test is high, amniocentesis is performed to confirm the diagnosis. Amniocentesis is to take a sample from the fluid the baby is in with a needle. The risk of amniocentesis in an experienced hand is low.
- Since the baby's organ development is largely complete at 20-24 weeks, detailed ultrasonography is requested. In this ultrasound performed by a radiologist, attention is paid to all abnormalities in the baby.
- At 24-28 weeks, a sugar loading test is performed to detect gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is called ‘gestational diabetes’. It poses a risk for the baby. Pregnant women who have an abnormal sugar loading test are given an appropriate diet.
- Pregnant women with blood incompatibility are given a blood incompatibility injection at 28 weeks.
- Ultrasound follow-up of the baby is continued between 28-36 weeks. Urinary tract infection in the mother is checked. The mother's weight and blood pressure are monitored.
- After the 36th week, the obstetrician determines the type of birth. If there is an obstacle to normal birth, caesarean section is planned. The NST test is performed to assess the condition of the baby. From the 36th week onwards, NST tests are performed once a week and after the 40th week they are performed every 2-3 days. In the last weeks, the amount of baby's water (amniotic fluid) is measured by ultrasound.
- After the 40th week, the pregnant woman is seen every 2-3 days. If labour does not start, the pregnant woman is hospitalised and given medication to induce labour.
