Pregnancy Specialist

How do I know if I'm pregnant?

Only a pregnancy test, which you can buy from most pharmacies, will definitively tell you if you're pregnant. However, pregnancy has some distinct symptoms, and it's often these symptoms that prompt women to take a test. They include:

• Missed periods
• Breast changes
• Weight gain
• Anemia and Fatigue
• Sickness and nausea
• Heartburn
• Cramps
• Light spotting
  
  

If you think you may be pregnant or have taken a positive pregnancy test, call your provider at Women's Health of Manhattan.

What are the stages of pregnancy?

A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Babies born before 40 weeks are preterm. A 40-week pregnancy is split into three trimesters, each lasting 12-13 weeks.

First trimester

The first trimester is when most people learn they're pregnant. It's when your emotional and physical changes are most pronounced because your hormones are all over the place, leading to extreme tiredness, swollen breasts, and morning sickness. It's common to wait until the end of the first trimester before telling people you're pregnant.

Second trimester

The second trimester is many moms' favorite. Hormones settle down, so you begin to feel much more like yourself. It's also when your bump starts to show, you can feel your baby kick (at around 17–20 weeks), and you can find out your baby's gender.

Third trimester

The third trimester is the home straight. Babies often have a growth spurt, and take up a lot more space, so you may feel more breathless and need to use the bathroom more. Now's the time to discuss your birth plan with your doctor and pack your baby bag so that you're ready for when the baby arrives.

No two pregnancies are the same. Babies can come early or late. Your provider schedules regular checkups throughout your pregnancy to monitor your progress and catch any complications early on. 

How often do I see my doctor during pregnancy?

During a healthy, non-high-risk pregnancy, you'll typically see your provider at the following intervals:

• Weeks 4–28: Monthly
• Weeks 28–36: Every two weeks
• Weeks 36–40: Weekly
  
  

You also visit your provider at 12 weeks and at 20 weeks for ultrasounds to check on fetal development.

A high-risk pregnancy is when you're carrying multiples (twins, triplets) or there's another risk factor associated with your pregnancy. In these cases, your doctor may wish to see you more frequently.

Call Women's Health of Manhattan today to begin your pregnancy care journey or book an appointment online.