Pregnancy Timeline

Question 1

First trimester?

Answer 1

The first trimester is from the start of pregnancy until 12 weeks gestation.

Question 2

Second trimester?

Answer 2

The second trimester is from 13 weeks until 26 weeks gestation.

Question 3

Third trimester?

Answer 3

The third trimester is from 27 weeks gestation until birth.

Question 4

When are foetal movements noted?

Answer 4

It is worth noting that fetal movements start from around 20 weeks gestation, and continue until birth.

Question 5

Key milestones in pregnancy?

Answer 5

Question 6

Additional milestones (other than key milestones) in pregnancy?

Answer 6

Additional appointments for higher risk or complicated pregnancies

Oral glucose tolerance test in women at risk of gestational diabetes (between 24 – 28 weeks)

Anti-D injections in rhesus negative women (at 28 and 34 weeks)

Ultrasound scan at 32 weeks for women with placenta praevia on the anomaly scan

Serial growth scans are offered to women at increased risk of fetal growth restriction

Question 7

What key things are covered at each routine antenatal appointment?

Answer 7

Several things are covered at each routine antenatal appointment:

Discuss plans for the remainder of the pregnancy and delivery
Symphysis–fundal height measurement from 24 weeks onwards
Fetal presentation assessment from 36 weeks onwards
Urine dipstick for protein for pre-eclampsia
Blood pressure for pre-eclampsia
Urine for microscopy and culture for asymptomatic bacteriuria

Question 8

Which vaccines are offered to all pregnant women?

Answer 8

There are two vaccines offered to all pregnant women:

Whooping cough (pertussis) from 16 weeks gestation
Influenza (flu) when available in autumn or winter

Live vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, are avoided in pregnancy.