Prenatal Visits

Prenatal care is longitudinal surveillance, not a series of identical appointments. Each visit compares current maternal and fetal findings with the person's baseline and previous trend. Visits become more frequent later in pregnancy because a new blood-pressure abnormality, change in fetal movement, growth discrepancy, or symptom cluster may require prompt reassessment rather than waiting for the next routine appointment. The routine schedule applies to an uncomplicated pregnancy. A medical condition, previous poor pregnancy outcome, new symptom, abnormal examination, or social circumstance affecting access to care may require a different plan. The health care provider documents that adjustment and communicates what should trigger earlier contact.