It’s important to regularly schedule and keep your prenatal checkup appointments with your health care provider. They will help you schedule and keep track of the appointments – you just have to show up!

I know, I remember, it feels like you are spending half your life in doctors’ offices sitting and waiting for what feels like hours all for them to check you and speak with you maybe ten minutes max. But it’s necessary.

Attending regular doctors’ visits can not guarantee a perfect baby – what can? But attending your doctors visits on a regular basis, can allow your doctor and staff to monitor the growth of your baby can help lower the risks of problems as they can be caught early. If there are complications in your pregnancy, your doctor can recommend the proper course of treatment.

Here’s some important things to keep in mind:

The usual schedule of prenatal visits to your practitioner is monthly for the first twenty-eight weeks, every two weeks from twenty-eight to thirty-six weeks, and weekly thereafter until delivery. The frequency and complexity of these visits may vary, according to your practitioner's philosophy, your previous obstetrical history, and any special needs you and your baby may have. Your obstetrician or midwife will use the office visits to monitor the changes you and your baby are experiencing. Most of these changes are normal. Other changes may signal a concern that needs to be addressed. In most cases, these concerns can be dealt with or corrected early on so your chances of delivering a healthy baby are great.

During month seven and eight your healthcare provider may want to check you twice a month.

During the ninth month, your doctor will probably want to see you weekly.

This site has a great explanation of what will probably happen at each visit through out the pregnancy. I wish I’d had a list like this while I was pregnant, instead of just wondering, “what are they going to do to me this time?”

Grab a magazine and get to those doctors appointments girls!