Congratulations on your pregnancy! The first question many people have is when they should have their first prenatal visit. The prenatal appointment schedule recently changed. Here's what you need to know.

What Is Prenatal Care?

Prenatal care is health care that people receive during pregnancy. Possible prenatal providers can include your family physician, your obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn), or your midwife.

Your prenatal care provider will monitor your health and your baby’s growth throughout your pregnancy. They can also catch health problems early and treat them with lifestyle changes, medication, or modifications to your birth plan.

Problems that may occur in pregnancy include:

During your pregnancy appointments, you'll also get advice about your mental and physical health. Your provider will share information on what signs you should look out for in pregnancy. You'll also discuss what to expect during and after birth.

What Is the Schedule for Prenatal Visits?

Pregnancy providers followed the same pregnancy appointments timeline for decades. But in April 2025, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended a change to the prenatal appointment schedule. The ACOG recommended a new tailored schedule based on the medical and social needs of the pregnant person.

The guidelines changed because studies show that six to 10 visits during pregnancy are adequate for most people. This schedule leads to the same health outcomes for mothers in low- to average-risk pregnancies and their babies as the previously recommended 12 or more visits.

So, if your provider considers your health risks in pregnancy low or average, you may have as few as six prenatal appointments in pregnancy. You may also have a mix of in-person, telemedicine (video) appointments, and group prenatal visits.

But if you face higher-than-average risks, you may have checkups every four weeks for most of your pregnancy, and then every two weeks in the third trimester. (You may face higher risks in pregnancy due to various reasons. These can include your age, a chronic health condition, or previous pregnancy losses.)

Your provider will adjust your prenatal visit schedule to what’s best for you. They'll consider your preferences for in-person versus telehealth appointments. They'll also take into account your ability to travel to the clinic.

When should I schedule my first prenatal visit?

You should schedule your first visit anytime from four weeks of pregnancy (shortly after a missed period) to 10 weeks of pregnancy regardless of your risk. You may wish to have an earlier first prenatal visit if you have any concerning symptoms or extra challenges in your pregnancy.

But don't worry if you haven’t scheduled your first prenatal visit and you’re beyond 10 weeks pregnant. Your health care provider will understand and care for you throughout your pregnancy regardless of the timing of your first visit.

What Happens During Pregnancy Checkups?

During your prenatal visits, your provider will check your weight and blood pressure, measure your belly, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. (You’ll hear the heartbeat, too!)

Your care team will also ask whether you can easily travel to prenatal care visits. If you need extra support, they can direct you to programs and resources in your area.

At certain times in your pregnancy (but not at every prenatal visit), your provider will recommend blood and urine tests. These help them look for signs of infections or other health problems.

You’ll also get one or more ultrasounds. ACOG recommends that all pregnant people have at least one ultrasound at 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. You may also have one around 12 weeks.

What Should I Do Before My First Prenatal Visit?

Before your first visit, you should think about the kind of prenatal provider you want. You should also make sure you’re taking prenatal vitamins and learn about pregnancy.

Choose your provider

If your family doctor provides prenatal care, you may wish to have them manage your pregnancy. But you can also see an obstetrician-gynecologist or a midwife.

Ob-gyns are doctors with at least four years of additional training in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum health. They're also experts in health problems affecting the female reproductive system.

Midwives specialize in low-risk pregnancies and vaginal births. They often promote natural births and spend a lot of one-on-one time with the people in their care.

You may already know whether you’re choosing ob-gyn- , midwife-, or family doctor-led care. If you’re not sure, you can read about the different approaches to prenatal care online. You can also talk with friends, family members, and neighbors, or ask people about their experiences with their pregnancy care provider in local online forums.

You can also switch doctors mid-pregnancy if you’re unhappy or dissatisfied with your care.

Take your vitamins

ACOG recommends that all pregnant patients take a prenatal vitamin throughout pregnancy. Ideally, they suggest starting this one month before becoming pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins include folic acid, which reduces the risk of certain brain and spinal cord defects. They also contain iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals that support a healthy pregnancy.

Get informed

The more you know about pregnancy and birth, the more confident you’ll feel advocating for yourself and making key decisions. A good starting place is UPMC’s guide to the first trimester, which details how the fetus develops, common first-trimester symptoms, and more.