Prenatal Visits
Prenatal Visits
at OBGYN Partners of Augusta
Compassionate, personalized care from your first prenatal visit through delivery and beyond.
Frequency of Visits
For each visit, we will be monitoring your blood pressure, weight, and urine for the presence of protein and glucose. The frequency of your visits may change depending on medical conditions associated with your pregnancy.
0–28 Weeks
Visits every 4 weeks
28–35 Weeks
Visits every 2 weeks
36–40 Weeks
Weekly visits
First Trimester
(0–13 Weeks)
Ultrasound: Determine viability of pregnancy and due date.
Lab work, cultures, and other tests:
- TYPE & RH: This test determines your blood type and RH factor (e.g. A+, O-).
- ANTIBODY SCREEN: This test screens for abnormal antibodies in the blood.
- CBC: Complete blood count. This test will let us know if you are anemic or have any other deficiencies in your blood.
- RPR: This test screens for syphilis.
- HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN: This test screens for Hepatitis B.
- RUBELLA: This test screens for immunity to the German measles.
- HIV: This test screens for HIV.
- URINE CULTURE: This test screens for urinary tract infections/bladder infections, which can sometimes be asymptomatic in pregnancy.
- Early one hour glucose testing may be recommended by your physician depending on your risk factors for diabetes.
- Pap smear: Screening for cervical cancer and precancer if it has not been done recently.
- Gonorrhea and chlamydia culture: Even if you are low risk for STDs, it is imperative to screen because of the negative implications on pregnancy if present.
Genetic Screening / Carrier Screening
Genetic screening is not mandatory, but it is important to know what is available. A variety of tests are available to help detect a chromosomal abnormality in your current pregnancy (for example, Down’s Syndrome). Test types fall into two categories: screening tests and diagnostic tests. Screening tests divide patients into lower risk or higher risk groups but do not give a definitive answer. Diagnostic tests are very accurate and will almost always give a definitive yes or no, but carry small risks. Diagnostic tests have become less popular as screening tests have become more accurate.
Genetic Screening Options
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing): Uses cell-free fetal DNA from the maternal blood to screen for trisomy 21, 18, 13, Turner Syndrome, Triploidy, and fetal sex. Highly sensitive and specific. Can be drawn around 11–12 weeks; results typically available within 2 weeks. This is the only screening test that allows you to find out the gender of your baby early. Talk to your doctor about insurance coverage; out-of-pocket cost is typically $50–$200.
- Combined Test: Combines a blood test, maternal age, and ultrasound at 11–12 weeks. Measures PAPP-A, free bHCG, and nuchal translucency. Results available early, but false positive rate is higher than other tests.
- Quad Test: Four substances in the mother’s blood are analyzed at 15–20 weeks. Classifies patients as lower than average or higher than average risk for chromosome problems or open neural tube defects. A good option for patients not receiving care in the first trimester.
- Integrated Test: Combines results from two sets of tests — one at 11–13 weeks, one at 15–18 weeks. High detection rate with a low false positive rate. Results are not available until the second set of tests is drawn.
Test | Results Available | Detection Rate | False Positive Rate |
NIPT | 10–12 weeks | 99% | 0.1% |
Combined Test | 11–13 weeks | 85% | 5% |
Quad Test | 17–20 weeks | 76% | 5% |
Integrated | 11–13 and 17–20 weeks | 94% | 5% |
Diagnostic Tests
(Performed by Maternal Fetal Medicine if Indicated)
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A small sample of the placenta is taken between 10 and 13 weeks to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Miscarriage risk is approximately 1–2 out of 100 procedures.
- Amniocentesis: A needle is passed through the mother’s abdomen into the uterus under ultrasound guidance to withdraw amniotic fluid for chromosome and biochemical analysis. Miscarriage risk is approximately 1–2 out of 1,000 procedures.
Second Trimester
(14–27 Weeks)
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A small sample of the placenta is taken between 10 and 13 weeks to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Miscarriage risk is approximately 1–2 out of 100 procedures.
- Amniocentesis: A needle is passed through the mother’s abdomen into the uterus under ultrasound guidance to withdraw amniotic fluid for chromosome and biochemical analysis. Miscarriage risk is approximately 1–2 out of 1,000 procedures.
You may eat up to 12 ounces (approximately 2 average meals) per week of fish or shellfish lower in mercury, including salmon, canned light tuna, Pollock, catfish, and shrimp. Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. The FDA and EPA recommend pregnant women eat no more than 6 ounces of albacore (white) tuna per week and to avoid any game fish without first checking its safety with the local health department.
Third Trimester
(28–40 Weeks)
- Diabetes Screening (27–29 weeks): 1-hour glucose test. You will drink 50 grams of glucose then have your blood drawn exactly 1 hour later. If you fail this test, a 3-hour fasting test will be scheduled.
- Rhogam: If your blood type is Rh negative, rhogam is indicated around 28 weeks to protect future pregnancies.
- Group B Strep Swab (35–37 weeks): Group B strep is a normal bacteria found in approximately 30–40% of women. If you test positive, you will receive IV antibiotics during labor to protect the baby.
- Growth Ultrasound: We will estimate your baby’s size, position, placenta, and fluid level via ultrasound in the third trimester.
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