Pregnancy Guide

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Admin2025-11-18
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First Trimester Checkups ​

Prenatal checkups in the first trimester are crucial for ensuring maternal and infant health. They can detect and deal with potential problems in time, laying a good foundation for the entire pregnancy.

Checkup Schedule ​

First Checkup (8-12 Weeks) ​

Best Time: After confirming pregnancy, conduct the first formal prenatal checkup at 8-12 weeks Checkup Purpose:

  • Confirm pregnancy and due date
  • Assess maternal health status
  • Establish pregnancy file
  • Conduct basic screening

Follow-up Checkups ​

  • Every 4 weeks: First and second trimester
  • Weeks 11-14: NT scan
  • Abnormal situations: Increase checkup frequency according to doctor's advice

Detailed Content of First Checkup ​

Basic Information Collection ​

Personal History Inquiry:

  • Age, occupation, education level
  • Lifestyle habits: smoking, drinking, exercise
  • Past medical history: chronic diseases, surgery history
  • Family history: genetic disease history, chronic disease history
  • Menstrual history: cycle, period, last menstrual period

Obstetric History Inquiry:

  • Previous pregnancy times and outcomes
  • Current pregnancy situation
  • History of infertility or miscarriage

Physical Examination ​

General Examination:

  • Height, weight, BMI calculation
  • Blood pressure, heart rate
  • Body temperature
  • Respiratory rate

Specialist Examination:

  • Breast examination
  • Heart auscultation
  • Lung auscultation
  • Abdominal palpation
  • Limb examination

Laboratory Tests ​

Mandatory Items ​

Blood Routine:

  • Hemoglobin, red blood cell count
  • White blood cell differential count
  • Platelet count
  • Assess anemia and infection

Blood Type Check:

  • ABO blood type identification
  • Rh blood type identification
  • Note whether immunoglobulin injection is needed

Urine Routine:

  • Protein, sugar, ketone bodies
  • Red blood cells, white blood cells
  • Cast check
  • Assess kidney function and infection

Infection Screening:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBsAg)
  • Treponema pallidum (RPR/TPPA)
  • HIV
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

Liver and Kidney Function:

  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
  • Creatinine, urea nitrogen

Optional Tests ​

Thyroid Function:

  • TSH, FT3, FT4
  • Especially for high-risk groups

Blood Glucose Check:

  • Fasting blood glucose
  • Glycated hemoglobin
  • Diabetes high-risk groups

Immune Status:

  • Rubella virus antibody
  • Cytomegalovirus antibody
  • Toxoplasma antibody

Ultrasound Examination ​

First Ultrasound (6-8 Weeks) ​

Check Content:

  • Confirm intrauterine pregnancy
  • Check number of embryos (single/multiple)
  • Observe fetal heartbeat
  • Measure embryo size
  • Assess gestational age

Precautions:

  • Transvaginal ultrasound may be required
  • Bladder needs to be appropriately filled

NT Scan (11-13+6 Weeks) ​

Nuchal Translucency Scan:

  • Measure fetal neck skin thickness
  • Assess chromosomal abnormality risk
  • Combined with Down syndrome screening

Other Checks:

  • Fetal heart rate
  • Fetal size
  • Placenta position
  • Uterine artery blood flow

Down Syndrome Screening ​

Screening Timing ​

  • Best Time: 11-13+6 weeks of pregnancy
  • Combined Check: NT scan + blood test

Screening Methods ​

Early Down Screening (11-13+6 Weeks) ​

Check Items:

  • Nuchal Translucency (NT) thickness
  • Maternal serum PAPP-A
  • Maternal serum Free β-hCG
  • Maternal age factor

Accuracy: About 85-90%

Mid-term Down Screening (15-20 Weeks) ​

Check Items:

  • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
  • Unconjugated estriol (uE3)
  • Inhibin A

Accuracy: About 75-80%

Result Interpretation ​

Low Risk:

  • Risk value is lower than screening threshold
  • No further check needed
  • Continue routine prenatal checkups

High Risk:

  • Risk value is higher than screening threshold
  • Diagnostic check is recommended
  • Consult a genetic doctor

Borderline Risk:

  • Risk value is in the borderline range
  • Can choose repeat screening or direct diagnosis

High Risk Factor Assessment ​

Age Factor ​

  • Over 35: Advanced maternal age, increased risk of Down syndrome
  • Under 18: Young maternal age, increased risk of premature birth

Disease History Factor ​

  • Chronic Diseases: Hypertension, diabetes, heart disease
  • Endocrine Diseases: Thyroid disease
  • Autoimmune Diseases: Lupus erythematosus, etc.

Past Obstetric History ​

  • Adverse Obstetric History: Miscarriage, stillbirth, malformed fetus
  • Cesarean Section History: Assess scar condition
  • Multiple Pregnancy: Needs closer monitoring

Lifestyle Factors ​

  • Smoking and Drinking: Affect fetal development
  • Medication Use: Teratogenic risk of certain drugs
  • Environmental Factors: Exposure to harmful substances

Handling Abnormal Checkup Results ​

Laboratory Abnormalities ​

Anemia ​

  • Mild Anemia: Diet adjustment, iron supplementation
  • Moderate to Severe Anemia: Drug treatment, regular review

Blood Pressure Abnormalities ​

  • Elevated Blood Pressure: Monitoring, necessary drug treatment
  • Low Blood Pressure: Pay attention to rest, adjust diet

Blood Glucose Abnormalities ​

  • High Blood Glucose: Diet control, exercise
  • Diabetes: Insulin treatment

Thyroid Function Abnormalities ​

  • Hyperthyroidism: Drug treatment, regular monitoring
  • Hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormone supplementation

Ultrasound Abnormalities ​

Fetal Heart Abnormalities ​

  • Fetal Heart Too Fast: Review, rule out infection
  • Fetal Heart Too Slow: Close monitoring, consider fetal protection

Embryo Development Abnormalities ​

  • Developmental Delay: Nutritional support, close monitoring
  • Fetal Arrest: Consider curettage surgery

Position Abnormalities ​

  • Ectopic Pregnancy: Emergency treatment
  • Scar Pregnancy: Specialist treatment

Checkup Preparation ​

Preparation Before Checkup ​

  • Fasting Requirement: Blood glucose, liver and kidney function need fasting for 8-12 hours
  • Holding Urine Preparation: Ultrasound check needs holding urine
  • Items to Carry: ID card, medical insurance card, past checkup data
  • Accompanying Person: It is recommended to have someone accompany you

On the Day of Checkup ​

  • Comfortable Clothing: Loose clothing for easy examination
  • Relaxed Mood: Avoid nervousness affecting checkup results
  • Time Arrangement: Reserve enough time

Cost and Insurance ​

Routine Checkup Costs ​

  • Basic Checks: Usually covered by medical insurance
  • Special Checks: Such as NIPT may be at own expense
  • Regional Differences: Costs vary in different regions

Insurance Consultation ​

  • Social Security Reimbursement: Understand local reimbursement policies
  • Commercial Insurance: Confirm insurance coverage
  • Self-pay Preparation: Prepare for possible extra costs

Medical Advice ​

Choosing a Hospital ​

  • General Hospital: Complete equipment, multi-department collaboration
  • Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital: More professional specialist
  • Proximity Principle: Convenient for follow-up checkups and delivery

Choosing a Doctor ​

  • Experienced: Doctors with rich obstetric experience
  • Good Communication: Able to answer questions patiently
  • Strong Responsibility: Serious and responsible attitude

Precautions ​

During Checkup ​

  • Punctual Checkup: Do not miss important checkup times
  • Timely Feedback: Inform doctors of abnormal situations in time
  • Record Information: Save checkup results and doctor's advice

Lifestyle ​

  • Healthy Diet: Balanced nutrition, avoid bad diet
  • Regular Schedule: Ensure adequate sleep
  • Moderate Exercise: Avoid strenuous exercise
  • Psychological Adjustment: Maintain a positive attitude

Friendly Reminder: Prenatal checkups are an important guarantee for maternal and infant health. Please conduct various checkups on time and follow the doctor's advice for follow-up treatment.