Prenatal care is one of the most important factors in reducing the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes and is necessary in order to monitor the development of the fetus.

The first prenatal visit is the most extensive. It includes a detailed history, laboratory tests and a physical examination. Most prenatal visits are monthly for the first 28 weeks, every two weeks for weeks 28 - 36 and weekly from week 36 to delivery.

The Pregnancy Test
Home pregnancy tests and the blood or urine test the doctor will do to confirm pregnancy check for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the developing placenta.

Physical Exam
The doctor will monitor a woman's weight and blood pressure throughout pregnancy. In the initial pelvic exam the doctor will be checking for changes in the cervix as well as the size of the uterus which helps in determining the age of the fetus and in establishing the due date.

Determining Due Date
Babies are seldom born on the exact due date. A normal, full-term pregnancy is anywhere between 37 - 42 weeks. Doctors attempt to predict due dates through markers including date of ovulation, uterine size, fetal movements, fetal heart tones or ultrasound.

Blood Tests
Blood tests are used to identify blood type, Rh factor, antibodies, sexually transmitted diseases and to check for anemia.

Urine Tests
Urine tests detect levels of sugar, protein and any possible infections.

Depending on a mother's medical history additional tests including amniocentesis and ultrasounds may be necessary.