How many pregnancy appointments will I have?

Often around 10 to 15 in the US for a low-risk pregnancy. The NHS offers at least 10 antenatal appointments for a first baby and at least 7 if you've given birth before, plus two routine scans. The WHO recommends a minimum of eight contacts.

When is the first pregnancy appointment?

ACOG says starting prenatal care before 10 weeks after your last period is ideal. In the UK, the booking appointment with a midwife is usually at 8 to 12 weeks. Contact your provider or self-refer as soon as you have a positive test.

What is a prenatal appointment called?

In the US it's usually called a prenatal visit or prenatal checkup. In the UK and many other countries it's an antenatal appointment, and the first one is often called the booking appointment.

How much do pregnancy appointments cost?

It depends on where you live and your insurance. NHS antenatal care is free for eligible people in the UK. In the US, many insurance plans cover prenatal care, but deductibles and coverage vary, so ask your insurer and your provider's billing office early.

How do I schedule my first pregnancy appointment?

Call an ob-gyn, midwife or family doctor who provides prenatal care, tell them the first day of your last period, and ask for a new prenatal appointment. In England you can refer yourself to NHS maternity services online or through your GP.

Pregnancy Appointment Schedule by Week / Momi

Q: How often are pregnancy appointments?

For a typical low-risk pregnancy in the US, visits are about every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, then weekly until birth. ACOG now supports tailored schedules, so yours may include some telehealth visits or extra checks if you need them.

Medically reviewed by: Safi Allah Khan · Written by the Momi team · Last updated 20 October 2026

Quick answer: A typical pregnancy appointment schedule for a low-risk pregnancy is a first visit before 10 weeks, then checkups about every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks until birth. Key scans fall at about 11 to 14 weeks and 18 to 22 weeks. Your provider may tailor this.

Below is the full timeline by trimester, the tests usually offered at each stage, how US and UK schedules differ, and questions worth asking at each visit.

The pregnancy appointments timeline at a glance

Weeks	What usually happens
Before 10 (US) / 8–12 (UK)	First prenatal or booking visit: history, due date, blood and urine tests
10 onward	Cell-free DNA screening may be offered (optional)
11–14	Dating scan; first-trimester screening offered (optional)
About 16	Routine check; screening results discussed
18–22	Mid-pregnancy anatomy scan
24–28	Glucose test for gestational diabetes (all in the US; by risk in the UK)
28	Routine check, blood tests; anti-D if you're Rh-negative
27–36	Whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine window in the US (offered from 16 weeks in the UK)
28–36	Visits about every 2 weeks
36–37	Baby's position checked; group B strep screening in the US
36 to birth	Weekly visits
40–41	Due date check; plans if you go past your due date

Every pregnancy is different. If you're expecting twins, have a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or develop complications, you'll likely have more appointments.

How often are pregnancy appointments?

ACOG explains that for many years the standard US schedule was a visit once a month until the seventh month, with visits increasing from the eighth month to delivery. That pattern is still common:

Weeks 4–28: about every 4 weeks
Weeks 28–36: about every 2 weeks
Week 36 to birth: every week

ACOG now describes "tailored prenatal care": a plan that fits your risk level, which may mix in-person visits for exams and tests with telehealth visits for counselling. Group prenatal care is another option some clinics offer.

In the UK, the NHS offers at least 10 antenatal appointments if it's your first baby and at least 7 if you've given birth before, plus two ultrasound scans.

Globally, the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of eight antenatal contacts during pregnancy.

First trimester appointments (weeks 1–13)

Your first prenatal visit

This is usually the longest appointment, often around an hour. ACOG says it's best to start before 10 weeks after your last period. Your provider will ask about:

the first day of your last period, to estimate your due date
medicines, vitamins and supplements you take
health conditions, past surgeries and vaccinations
past pregnancies, including miscarriage, preterm birth, pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes
your lifestyle, work and home support

According to Mayo Clinic, first-visit blood tests often check your blood type and Rh status, hemoglobin (for anemia), immunity to rubella and chickenpox, and infections such as hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. A urine test checks for infection. You'll also have your blood pressure, weight and height measured.

Bring: your last period date, a list of medicines, and your questions.

Dating scan and first-trimester screening (11–14 weeks)

An ultrasound at this stage confirms how far along you are, checks the heartbeat and shows whether you're expecting more than one baby. It's also when screening for conditions such as Down syndrome is usually offered, often combining a scan measurement with a blood test. Screening is optional. It's your choice whether to have it, and your provider can explain the difference between screening and diagnostic tests.

If the scan gives a different due date from your period date, it's normally the one used from then on. Update it in your due date calculator or app.

Second trimester appointments (weeks 14–27)

These visits are often shorter. At each one your provider typically checks your blood pressure, urine and weight, listens to the baby's heartbeat, and from about 24 weeks may measure your bump (fundal height) to track growth.

Anatomy scan (18–22 weeks)

The mid-pregnancy scan checks your baby's development in detail, including the heart, brain, spine, kidneys and limbs, and looks at the placenta. In the UK this is offered at 18 to 21 weeks and is sometimes called the 20-week scan. You may be able to find out the baby's sex if you want to.

Glucose screening (24–28 weeks)

A blood test checks for gestational diabetes. In the US it's usually offered to everyone. In the UK, the NHS offers testing between 24 and 28 weeks if you have a higher chance of gestational diabetes.

Vaccines

Ask about the flu vaccine (safe in any trimester) and the whooping cough vaccine. In the US, Tdap is given between 27 and 36 weeks. In the UK, it's offered from 16 weeks. Ask about the RSV vaccine too, since timing depends on where you live and the time of year.

Third trimester appointments (weeks 28–40+)

Visits get more frequent. Along with the usual checks, expect:

28 weeks: blood tests for iron levels and antibodies. If you're Rh-negative, you may be offered an anti-D injection.
Discussion of baby's movements at every visit. Learn your baby's usual pattern and call straight away if it changes. See our guide to when to start kick counts.
36 weeks: your provider feels your bump to check the baby's position. In the US, a swab for group B strep is usually taken between 36 and 37 weeks.
Birth planning: where you'll give birth, pain relief options, and when to call once labor starts. Our how to time contractions guide covers what to tell them.
40–41 weeks: if you're still pregnant, you'll talk about extra monitoring and options such as induction.

Questions to ask at each appointment

Stage	Good questions
First visit	Which screening tests do you offer, and when? Which medicines are safe? How do I reach you after hours?
Dating scan	Has my due date changed? When will screening results arrive?
Second trimester	Is my weight gain on track? Which vaccines do you recommend and when? What should I do if I don't feel movement by 24 weeks?
Anatomy scan	Is everything developing as expected? Where is the placenta?
Third trimester	When should I call or come in during labor? Do you want me to count kicks? What happens if I go past my due date?

Write your questions down as they come up. It's easy to forget them in the room.

Signs you shouldn't wait for your next appointment

Your schedule is for routine care. The CDC lists urgent warning signs that need care straight away, at any stage of pregnancy, including a headache that won't go away, changes in vision, fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, severe belly pain, trouble breathing, vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking, and your baby moving less. If in doubt, call your provider or maternity unit.

Keep your pregnancy appointments in Momi

Juggling dates, scans and vitamins gets complicated. Momi keeps your visits and medicine reminders together, so you can see upcoming appointments at a glance. You can save ultrasound pictures, track your weight between visits and jot down questions in your diary to bring along.

Download Momi free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional Premium.

Sources

ACOG, Prenatal Care
ACOG, Routine Tests During Pregnancy
NHS, Antenatal care and appointments
Mayo Clinic, Prenatal care: first trimester visits
World Health Organization, Recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
CDC, Urgent Maternal Warning Signs

Medical disclaimer: Momi and this website provide general information, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife; in an emergency call your local emergency number.

Pregnancy Appointment Schedule