The first check-up with your OB/GYN can take place from weeks 6 to 10 of your pregnancy (counted from the first day of your last period). It is recommended to visit your prenatal care clinic every 4 to 6 weeks, and then every week during the last month before delivery. By week 12, your doctor will issue you with a pregnancy card and perform blood and urine tests.
Between weeks 11 and 14, you can undergo a first-trimester screening for birth defects, which is done by an ultrasound examination in combination with a specialized blood test. In week 20, a second-trimester ultrasound screening is performed. Patients pay for these two examinations themselves, but they can request reimbursement from their insurance company as part of their bonuses.
Between weeks 24 and 28, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is performed to help diagnose gestational diabetes. In week 30, an extensive ultrasound screening is performed to determine the position of the baby and the amount of amniotic fluid in the womb. The doctor will also listen to the baby’s heartbeat and determine the position of the placenta.
In week 40, a non-stress test (CTG) is performed, usually lasting 20 minutes, where the baby's heart activity and uterine activity are monitored using two probes that are strapped to the abdomen.
For a more detailed prenatal care schedule, see Recommended Practices of the Czech Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (in Czech). Before any examination, we recommend that you always ask about how it works, what the side effects are, when the result will be known, and what would happen if the examination revealed that something might be wrong. No examinations are mandatory!
If you are under the care of a midwife, you can go for your regular check-ups to her, or you can arrange to alternate between her and your OB/GYN. Her care usually takes place at your home or in her office.
The texts were developed within the framework of the project "I give birth in peace - and respectful care as prevention of obstetric violence" of the ceiling program of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic: GE - Support of public benefit activities in the field of gender equality, project identification number GE220027 and the project "I give birth in peace without violence", of a partner grant from the Norwegian Funds, project identification number LP-HRMGSC-004.
