Women's Health
The first antenatal appointment sets the pattern for the whole pregnancy. Knowing what will happen — and what information to bring — makes it far more useful.
Book as soon as a pregnancy test is positive, ideally between six and eight weeks. Early registration allows dating by scan, which is far more accurate than dates alone, and gives time to start folic acid, correct anaemia and identify risks before they cause problems.
If your periods are irregular, if you have had a previous caesarean, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, or if you have diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure or epilepsy, come earlier rather than later. These pregnancies need a plan from the beginning.
Tell your obstetrician about every medicine you take, including those bought without prescription. Some common drugs are unsafe in early pregnancy and safe alternatives almost always exist.
A standard low-risk pregnancy involves monthly visits until 28 weeks, fortnightly visits from 28 to 36 weeks, and weekly visits thereafter — roughly eight to twelve visits in total. Scans are usually done at booking, at 11–14 weeks, at 18–22 weeks for the detailed anomaly scan, and around 32–36 weeks for growth.
Do not skip visits because you feel well. Anaemia, gestational diabetes, growth restriction and pre-eclampsia all develop without symptoms, and the visit schedule exists precisely to catch them.
This article is general health education written and reviewed by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at SIMS. It is not a substitute for an examination, a diagnosis or the advice of your own treating doctor, and it cannot account for your history, medicines or reports. If a symptom is sudden or severe — chest pain, stroke symptoms, breathing difficulty, serious injury, seizures or heavy bleeding — call 9281862028 or come straight to the emergency department instead of reading further.
Related reading
Articles our patients most often read alongside this one.
Women's HealthMore than half of pregnant women in India are anaemic. It is the most treatable cause of low birth weight, premature delivery and postpartum haemorrhage — and the treatment costs almost nothing.
Read articleWomen's HealthPCOS affects roughly one in five Indian women of reproductive age. It is not a disease of the ovaries alone — it is a metabolic condition, which is why the treatment often looks nothing like a gynaecological one.
Read articleWomen's HealthIndia accounts for roughly a fifth of the world's cervical cancer deaths, from a cancer that a screening test can catch a decade before it becomes cancer — and a vaccine can prevent entirely.
Read articleDescribe the symptom and the appointment desk will route you to the correct consultant. For anything sudden or severe, come to the emergency department instead of waiting for a callback.