What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visits

At Cardinal Way Midwifery, we believe prenatal care should be more than just checklists and lab work—it’s about building trust, preparing your body and mind for birth, and creating a care plan that feels right for you and your family.

Below you’ll find an overview of what happens at each stage of pregnancy, including recommended screenings, supportive conversations, and the extra guidance we offer to help you feel confident and cared for throughout your journey.

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What to Expect

A quick overview of testing, guidance, and our Cardinal Way additions at each stage.

Gestational Age	Testing & Screening	Anticipatory Guidance	Cardinal Way Additions
Initial (≤10 weeks)	Comprehensive history & physical, blood pressure, weight, ABO/Rh, CBC, urine culture, STI panel (HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea), rubella/varicella immunity, mental health/social screenings, genetic risk assessment, offer first-trimester aneuploidy screening.	Nutrition, folic acid, iron, exercise, safe meds/teratogen avoidance, early pregnancy symptoms, vaccinations, shared decision-making.	Build your birth team (midwife, doula, childbirth educator, chiropractor, pelvic floor PT); recommend The Real Food Diet for Pregnancy; mental health support; preparing for unmedicated birth.
12–16 weeks	Blood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones; offer cfDNA or nuchal translucency if not done; repeat depression screen if indicated.	Review early symptoms and genetic results, warning signs, reinforce healthy behaviors.	Ongoing mindset/mental-health check-in; Q&A for early physical changes.
16–20 weeks	Blood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones; second-trimester serum screen (quad screen); anatomy ultrasound (18–22 weeks).	Discuss anatomy scan, fetal movement, anticipatory guidance on preterm labor signs.	Resources for partners/family; positioning and comfort tips.
20–24 weeks	Blood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height.	Discuss fetal movement; review anatomy scan; plan for gestational diabetes screening.	Sleep positions, body mechanics, belly support options.
24–28 weeks	Blood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height; OGTT (gestational diabetes screen); CBC; STI screening recommended for all patients (state guidance); repeat STI testing if otherwise indicated.	Discuss results; review preeclampsia warning signs; reinforce nutrition & activity; Rh(D) immune globulin if Rh-negative.	Administer Rhogam if Rh-negative. Third-trimester planning.
28–32 weeks	Routine checks: BP, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height.	Birth planning, signs of preterm labor, fetal movement, Tdap if not yet given.	Start gathering supplies (birth tub, postpartum recovery basket, newborn essentials).
32–36 weeks	Routine checks: BP, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height.	Labor signs, review birth preferences, breastfeeding education, select pediatric provider.	Practice relaxation/breathing; finalize postpartum recovery plan.
36–38 weeks	Routine checks; Group B Streptococcus screening; repeat STI screening if indicated.	Labor & birth logistics; postpartum planning; review warning signs.	HOME VISIT! Birth tub delivered; review birth supplies; prep postpartum recovery basket; finalize birth preferences.
38–42 weeks	Routine checks; consider ultrasound for growth/position if indicated.	Induction options; post-dates management; reinforce postpartum care planning.	Comfort measures, affirmations, and natural labor prep guidance.

Initial (≤10 weeks)

Testing & ScreeningComprehensive history & physical, blood pressure, weight, ABO/Rh, CBC, urine culture, STI panel (HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea), rubella/varicella immunity, mental health/social screenings, genetic risk assessment, offer first-trimester aneuploidy screening.

Anticipatory GuidanceNutrition, folic acid, iron, exercise, safe meds/teratogen avoidance, early pregnancy symptoms, vaccinations, shared decision-making.

Cardinal Way AdditionsBuild your birth team (midwife, doula, childbirth educator, chiropractor, pelvic floor PT); recommend The Real Food Diet for Pregnancy; mental health support; preparing for unmedicated birth.

12–16 weeks

Testing & ScreeningBlood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones; offer cfDNA or nuchal translucency if not done; repeat depression screen if indicated.

Anticipatory GuidanceReview early symptoms and genetic results, warning signs, reinforce healthy behaviors.

Cardinal Way AdditionsOngoing mindset/mental-health check-in; Q&A for early physical changes.

16–20 weeks

Testing & ScreeningBlood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones; second-trimester serum screen (quad screen); anatomy ultrasound (18–22 weeks).

Anticipatory GuidanceDiscuss anatomy scan, fetal movement, anticipatory guidance on preterm labor signs.

Cardinal Way AdditionsResources for partners/family; positioning and comfort tips.

20–24 weeks

Testing & ScreeningBlood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height.

Anticipatory GuidanceDiscuss fetal movement; review anatomy scan; plan for gestational diabetes screening.

Cardinal Way AdditionsSleep positions, body mechanics, belly support options.

24–28 weeks

Testing & ScreeningBlood pressure, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height; OGTT (gestational diabetes screen); CBC; STI screening recommended for all patients (state guidance); repeat STI testing if otherwise indicated.

Anticipatory GuidanceDiscuss results; review preeclampsia warning signs; reinforce nutrition & activity; Rh(D) immune globulin if Rh-negative.

Cardinal Way AdditionsAdminister Rhogam if Rh-negative. Third-trimester planning.

28–32 weeks

Testing & ScreeningRoutine checks: BP, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height.

Anticipatory GuidanceBirth planning, signs of preterm labor, fetal movement, Tdap if not yet given.

Cardinal Way AdditionsStart gathering supplies (birth tub, postpartum recovery basket, newborn essentials).

32–36 weeks

Testing & ScreeningRoutine checks: BP, weight, urine protein, fetal heart tones, fundal height.

Anticipatory GuidanceLabor signs, review birth preferences, breastfeeding education, select pediatric provider.

Cardinal Way AdditionsPractice relaxation/breathing; finalize postpartum recovery plan.

36–38 weeks

Testing & ScreeningRoutine checks; Group B Streptococcus screening; repeat STI screening if indicated.

Anticipatory GuidanceLabor & birth logistics; postpartum planning; review warning signs.

Cardinal Way AdditionsHOME VISIT! Birth tub delivered; review birth supplies; prep postpartum recovery basket; finalize birth preferences.

38–42 weeks

Testing & ScreeningRoutine checks; consider ultrasound for growth/position if indicated.

Anticipatory GuidanceInduction options; post-dates management; reinforce postpartum care planning.

Cardinal Way AdditionsComfort measures, affirmations, and natural labor prep guidance.

Postpartum at Cardinal Way

Discharge to self-care 2–6 hours after birth

Home visit for mom & baby at 24–72 hours (includes newborn screen)

2-week office visit (mom & baby)

Mom’s 6-week visit

12-week visit with recovery & family-planning support

24/7 on-call support throughout

Delivering Mom Approved Care to DFW

Midwife Courtney Watson, CNM | WHNP has been voted a DFW Child Magazine Mom Approved Midwife since 2019

Let's Connect

Have questions or ready to begin your journey with Cardinal Way Midwifery? Whether you're exploring care options, looking for guidance, or simply want to learn more, we’re here to support you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation, ask a question, or take the next step toward personalized, holistic care.

We look forward to walking this path with you!