Pregnancy Care, Trimester by Trimester: Scans, Check-ups and Warning Signs
From the first scan to delivery day, good pregnancy care follows a clear rhythm. Here is what happens in each trimester — and the signs that should never wait.
Few journeys change a family like the nine months of a pregnancy. Good antenatal care does not make those months complicated — it makes them calm, by following a simple rhythm of check-ups and scans, each one at the moment it matters most.
Here is what that rhythm looks like at KT Hospital.
The first trimester: building the foundation
The first visit confirms the pregnancy, dates it with an early scan, and checks the basics — haemoglobin, blood group, thyroid, sugar. Folic acid starts now, if it hasn't already. Between 11 and 13 weeks, a screening scan and blood test assess how the baby is developing.
Morning sickness, tiredness and mood swings are all normal residents of these weeks. Persistent vomiting that keeps food and fluids down is not — that deserves a visit, not endurance.
The second trimester: the golden months
Energy usually returns, and somewhere around 18 to 20 weeks you will feel the first flutters of movement. The anomaly scan between 18 and 22 weeks takes a careful look at the baby's heart, brain, spine and limbs. A glucose test around 24 to 28 weeks checks for pregnancy diabetes, which is common in our region and very manageable when found early.
An uneventful pregnancy is not luck. It is dozens of small checks, each confirming that all is well.
The third trimester: preparing for the day
Visits become more frequent — every two weeks, then weekly. A growth scan checks the baby's size and position, and you and your doctor will talk through your birth plan: your preferences, pain relief, and what happens in the different ways a delivery can unfold. Our birthing suites and operation theatres are staffed around the clock, with a NICU ready on the same floor — so whatever the day brings, everything your baby needs is already in the building.
Signs that should never wait
- Bleeding at any stage of pregnancy
- Severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face and hands
- The baby moving noticeably less than usual
- Fluid leaking, or pains that come in a rhythm before 37 weeks
For any of these, do not wait for the next appointment. Our maternity team is here 24/7 — come in, at any hour.
You are not expected to do this alone
From the first heartbeat on the screen to the first cry in the delivery room, our obstetricians, midwives and paediatricians walk the whole road with you. Book your antenatal visit, bring your questions, and let us carry the medical worry — so you can enjoy the wait.
Frequently asked questions
How many scans are needed during pregnancy?
Most healthy pregnancies need three to four: a dating scan, the 11–13 week screening scan, the 18–22 week anomaly scan, and a growth scan in the third trimester.
How often are check-ups during pregnancy?
Roughly monthly until 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly after that — more often if your doctor is watching something specific.
What pregnancy symptoms need urgent attention?
Bleeding, severe headache or blurred vision, sudden swelling of the face or hands, reduced baby movements, fluid leaking, or pain that does not settle — come to the hospital at any hour.
Have a question about your health?
Our specialists are here to help. Book an appointment or call us any time — we're open 24 hours.
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