Title: Prenatal care | Office on Women's Health
Headings: Prenatal care
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Prenatal care
Prenatal care
What is prenatal care?
Why do I need prenatal care?
I am thinking about getting pregnant. How can I take care of myself?
I'm pregnant. What should I do — or not do — to take care of myself and my unborn baby?
Health care do's and don'ts
Food do's and don'ts
Lifestyle do's and don'ts
Environmental do's and don'ts
I don't want to get pregnant right now. Should I still take folic acid every day?
How often should I see my doctor during pregnancy?
What happens during prenatal visits?
I am in my late 30s and I want to get pregnant. Should I do anything special?
Where can I go to get free or reduced-cost prenatal care?
Did we answer your question about prenatal care?

Content: Your doctor will check on your health and make sure the baby is growing as expected. Most prenatal visits will include: Checking your blood pressure
Measuring your weight gain
Measuring your abdomen to check your baby's growth (once you begin to show)
Checking the baby's heart rate
While you're pregnant, you also will have some routine tests. Some tests are suggested for all women, such as blood work to check for anemia, your blood type, HIV, and other factors. Other tests might be offered based on your age, personal or family health history, your ethnic background, or the results of routine tests you have had. Visit the pregnancy section of our website for more details on prenatal care and tests. I am in my late 30s and I want to get pregnant. Should I do anything special? As you age, you have an increasing chance of having a baby born with a birth defect. Yet most women in their late 30s and early 40s have healthy babies.