Week-by-Week Pregnancy Tracking: A Guide to Your Maternity Journey

Week-by-week pregnancy tracking is a carefully planned process involving regular examinations and tests throughout your pregnancy to protect both maternal and infant health. In line with the guidelines of the Turkish Ministry of Health, this maternity journey includes ultrasound scans and blood tests at specific weeks to monitor your baby's development and detect any potential risks early. Thanks to the essential tests performed during pregnancy, you can confidently manage the changes in your own body and prepare to welcome your baby in good health.

At a Glance:

• The first pregnancy exam is usually performed one to two weeks after a missed period to visualize the gestational sac and heartbeat.
• Between the 11th and 14th weeks, nuchal translucency measurement and the double marker test are carried out.
• Between the 18th and 22nd weeks, a fetal anomaly scan (detailed ultrasound) is performed by specialist physicians.
• Between the 24th and 28th weeks, an oral glucose tolerance test is recommended to check for gestational diabetes risk.
• After the 32nd week, check-ups become more frequent, and an NST device is used to monitor the baby's heartbeat.

What is the Maternity Journey and Pregnancy Tracking?

Pregnancy is roughly a forty-week marathon during which your body undergoes numerous physical and hormonal changes. The medical check-ups performed during this period to protect your health and step-by-step monitor your baby's growth in the womb are called pregnancy tracking. Planned examinations are of great importance for a healthy maternity journey. Through regular follow-ups, risks such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure (preeclampsia), or premature birth can be detected before symptoms even appear, allowing for necessary precautions to be taken.

In a standard pregnancy, the frequency of check-ups is generally planned as once a month until the 28th week. You are expected to see your doctor every two weeks between the 28th and 36th weeks, and once a week from the 36th week until birth. In high-risk pregnancies or multiple pregnancies, this schedule is tightened entirely according to your specific needs. At each visit, your weight and blood pressure are measured, and your baby's amniotic fluid, weight, and overall development are evaluated using ultrasound.

The First Trimester (Weeks 1-13): Your First Pregnancy Exam

The first trimester, which begins the moment you find out you are pregnant, is the stage where your baby's organ development is most rapid. The first pregnancy examination is usually scheduled shortly after your home test comes back positive. During this initial visit, your doctor uses an ultrasound to check whether the gestational sac has implanted correctly within the uterus. By the time you reach the sixth or seventh week, you may hear your baby's heartbeat for the very first time.

During this period, comprehensive blood and urine tests are requested to evaluate your general health. A complete blood count, blood typing, thyroid function tests, and screenings for infections like hepatitis, rubella, and toxoplasmosis are performed at this stage. When you reach between 11 and 14 weeks, your baby's nuchal translucency is measured, and you provide a blood sample for the double marker test. This test is an incredibly critical step used to assess the risk of chromosomal differences, such as Down syndrome.

The Second Trimester (Weeks 14-27): Detailed Ultrasound

The second trimester of pregnancy is generally known as the most comfortable stage, where nausea typically subsides and your energy returns. It is during these weeks that you will start to feel your baby's movements for the first time. The most significant milestone of the second trimester is the detailed ultrasound, also known as the fetal anomaly scan, performed between the 18th and 22nd weeks. During this scan, your baby's brain, heart, spine, face, and internal organs are examined in meticulous detail.

To properly meet your increased calorie and vitamin needs during this period of accelerated growth, you can also benefit from our article titled Nutrition During Pregnancy: Trimester-Based Recommendations and Guide. When you reach between 24 and 28 weeks, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is conducted to screen for gestational diabetes. Because gestational diabetes can pose risks to both you and your baby, physicians strongly advise having this test done on time. If necessary, an Rh incompatibility (anti-D) injection may also be planned toward the end of this trimester.

The Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40): Preparing for Birth

As you enter the final trimester, your baby's weight gain accelerates, and your body begins to prepare for labor. At this stage, you may experience lower back and back pain due to your growing belly. Check-ups are now performed more frequently, and your doctor will evaluate your baby's position in the womb (head down or breech). The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby and the condition of the placenta are carefully measured at every appointment.

From the 32nd week onwards, an application called NST (Non-Stress Test) is added to your follow-ups. Using two probes strapped to your abdomen, your baby's heart rate and uterine contractions are graphed for about twenty minutes. This test indicates whether your baby is receiving enough oxygen in the womb and if they are under any stress. As delivery approaches, having a detailed conversation with your physician about your birth plan, pain management options, and when to head to the hospital will ensure the process goes much more smoothly.

What Are the Essential Tests During Pregnancy?

The tests administered throughout your maternity journey serve as a guide to resolving potential issues before they escalate. Urine tests are frequently repeated during routine check-ups because urinary tract infections during pregnancy can progress silently and trigger premature labor. At the same time, checking for protein leakage in the urine helps monitor the risk of preeclampsia (pregnancy toxemia), which presents with high blood pressure.

To screen for chromosomal anomalies, a double marker test may be requested in the first trimester, followed by a triple or quad screen in the second trimester depending on the situation. In recent years, the fetal DNA test (NIPT), which examines the baby's DNA from a maternal blood sample, has become highly preferred due to its high accuracy rate. Weeks before delivery, usually between the 35th and 37th weeks, a vaginal culture may be taken for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening to prevent infections that could pass to the baby during a normal vaginal birth. All these tests are planned so your baby can say hello to the world in the healthiest way possible.

When to See a Doctor and Emergencies

Even if week-by-week pregnancy tracking proceeds exactly as planned, some unexpected situations may require emergency medical intervention. It is vital to read your body's signals correctly and visit a healthcare facility without losing any time. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately without waiting for your next scheduled appointment:

• Any amount of vaginal bleeding or spotting.
• Sudden, severe, and persistent abdominal or groin pain.
• Your water breaking (a sudden gush or a slow leak of clear fluid from the vagina).
• A noticeable decrease or halt in the baby's movements, especially after the 28th week.
• Severe headache, blurred vision, or seeing spots before your eyes (could be a sign of preeclampsia).
• A high fever exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting.

In such emergencies, you can immediately call the 112 emergency service in Türkiye or go to the 24/7 emergency department of a fully equipped hospital.

Pregnancy and Perinatology at BHT CLINIC

At BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, we stand by your side with advanced technology and our expert team to protect maternal and infant health at the highest level. In addition to routine obstetrics and gynecology follow-ups, we provide specialized services for the management of high-risk pregnancies through our dedicated Perinatology department. Advanced examinations such as detailed ultrasounds, fetal anomaly scans, chorionic villus sampling, or amniocentesis are meticulously performed by our perinatology specialists.

All blood and imaging tests you may need throughout your pregnancy are finalized on the same day at our hospital. We offer a safe birthing experience with our 24/7 emergency department ready for unexpected situations and our fully equipped neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). To start your pregnancy tracking, book a detailed ultrasound appointment, or get more information about the process, you can complete your transaction via our appointment page or contact us through our call center at 0850 811 34 00.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should pregnancy check-ups be done?

In a normal pregnancy, check-ups are recommended once a month until the 28th week, every two weeks between the 28th and 36th weeks, and once a week from the 36th week until delivery. In high-risk situations, your doctor may update this schedule to be more frequent.

At what week is a detailed ultrasound (color ultrasound) performed?

The detailed ultrasound, also known as a fetal anomaly scan, is performed by perinatology specialists between the 18th and 22nd weeks, when the baby's organ development can be assessed most clearly.

Is the double marker test mandatory?

None of the medical tests are legally mandatory; however, the double marker test is a highly important screening method strongly recommended by physicians for the early detection of genetic differences like Down syndrome.

Does the glucose tolerance test harm the baby?

No, the amount of glucose in the liquid consumed during the glucose tolerance test is no different from a single portion of dessert eaten in daily life and does not harm the baby. On the contrary, undiagnosed gestational diabetes poses serious risks to both mother and baby.

When do you start feeling the baby move?

Expectant mothers experiencing their first pregnancy usually start to feel their baby's movements between the 18th and 22nd weeks, whereas mothers who have given birth before may notice these movements earlier, around the 16th week.

This article is for informational purposes only; please be sure to consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.