Pregnancy
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Pregnancy Trimesters
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1st Trimester (0-13 weeks) – Early growth & development
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2nd Trimester (14-27 weeks) – Baby bump appears, movement starts!
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3rd Trimester (28 weeks-birth) – Final stretch!
How to Estimate Due Date?
- Naegele’s Rule: Add 7 days to your last period, then count back 3 months.
- Ultrasound (US) Dating: Used if unsure or irregular periods (most accurate if done before 22 weeks).
- Confirm Full-Term Pregnancy:
- Before 22 weeks → Ultrasound
- After 30 weeks → Hearing fetal heartbeat
- After 36 weeks → Positive pregnancy hormone (hCG)
Fetal Development Milestones
- Heartbeat Detected:
- Doppler (handheld monitor) → 11-12 weeks
- Fetal stethoscope → 16-19 weeks
- Seen on Ultrasound:
- Gestational sac → 5-6 weeks
- Fetal pole & heartbeat → 7-8 weeks
- Feeling Baby Move (Quickening):
- First-time moms → 18-22 weeks
- Experienced moms → 16 weeks
- Bump Growth (Fundal Height):
- 12 weeks → Pubic bone
- 16 weeks → Between pubic bone & belly button
- 20 weeks → Belly button level
- After 24 weeks, measure fundal height at every visit to check for healthy growth.
Prenatal Care Visits
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- Before 28 weeks → Every 4 weeks
- 28-36 weeks → Every 2-3 weeks
- After 36 weeks → Every week
What Happens at Each Visit?
- First Visit: Health history, weight, blood pressure, pelvic exam, baby’s heartbeat, urine tests, and blood tests.
- 15-20 weeks: Blood pressure, weight, baby’s heartbeat, and genetic screening (if needed).
- 24-28 weeks: Diabetes screening, Rhogam shot (if needed).
- 29-41 weeks: Regular checks + Group B Strep (GBS) test at 36-37 weeks.
Vaccines for a Healthy Pregnancy
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Flu Shot → Anytime during pregnancy
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Tdap (Whooping Cough Vaccine) → 27 weeks
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RSV Vaccine → 32-36 weeks
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HIV Screening: Routine, with rapid testing during labor if status is unknown.