The pregnancy, or gestation, is one of the sweetest, most exciting and important moments for a woman and her family.
When a woman takes a pregnancy test, and it is positive, she begins a new stage of health charged with emotions.
This stage is accompanied, at first, by doubts and worries.
This is why the team at the Institute of Gynecology and obstetrics of Dra. Gómez Roig, in Barcelona, dedicates a large part of its attention to accompanying the woman during all the weeks of pregnancy with our medical services.
On our team, doctors care for low-risk and high-risk pregnancies, week by week. At the same time, our midwife always accompanies the woman and her family helping during the pregnancy, postpartum and lactation. The hospital, where we attend most of the deliveries, is the Corachan Clinic.
During pregnancy, the mother and the fetus are the most important.
The first health care is essential and will prevent the appearance of complications in women and their babies.
When should I start pregnancy control?
Gestational follow-up should start when you suspect that you are pregnant.
- When you have a period delay of more than 15 days.
- If it has been 6 weeks since the last time you had your period.
- Also if you take a urine pregnancy test and it is positive.
- If you have a menstrual delay and blood loss or abdominal pain appear.
When a woman knows she is pregnant, she should call her trusted obstetrician-gynecologist to request a visit. Usually the first visit is managed around 8 weeks, at which time the presence of the baby inside the mother's uterus will be seen by ultrasound.
Another reason to visit, also recommended, is if you want to plan your future pregnancy correctly. Women who consult their gynecologist before becoming pregnant can have the best advice to promote a healthy life and a better pregnancy.
How is the control of a pregnancy?
Pregnancy monitoring is carried out frequently and regularly according to the weeks to monitor possible alterations or disorders that can be identified before giving maternal problems or complications.
The frequency of visits varies according to the degree of risk presented by the pregnancy and the mother.
Usually, in the monthly appointments of pregnant women, several tests are performed on women. Weight control, blood pressure measurement, tests and analytical studies to detect diseases, complications and controls with ultrasound to know the status of the fetus or baby.
These tests and health tests, specific according to the weeks of gestation, are important to prevent the mother from having to go to the hospital due to maternal or fetal complications. The baby and the mother are the most important.
During pregnancy or gestation control, we always try to ensure that our assistance to the mother and her family is personalized, human, and at the same time very professional.
At the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Dr. Gómez Roig, all circumstances are managed: low-risk pregnancies in the most natural way possible, as well as high-risk and complex pregnancies, without neglecting humanization in their follow-up.
On risk pregnancy, the formation of our specialists, accompanied by the latest technology, allow its management, every week, in the most appropriate way.
The Neonatal Unitand the Corachan Adult Intensive Care Unit, within the hospital, reinforce good care in complicated cases.
What are the pregnancy controls?
Pregnancy controls are defined and agreed upon in the "Embaràs follow-up protocol” of the Department of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, where Dr. Gómez Roig has participated as an author.
Following the protocols ensures a good state of health during pregnancy, both for the mother and the fetus. This decreases unnecessary tests, complications or hospital visits for women.
As a summary, and to facilitate your understanding, we have prepared the following explanatory list of the tests that are carried out in pregnancy or gestation.
Summary of pregnancy control
As a summary, the number of visits is as follows:
- 1st visit (8-12 weeks): The clinical history is opened and the first trimester analysis is requested.
- 2st visit: The first trimester ultrasound (11 -14 weeks). And with this information, prenatal diagnostic tests are requested. It is the first contact with the baby.
- 3st visit (15-16 weeks): The results of the prenatal diagnosis are reported. In addition and if indicated, an invasive procedure test. The current possibility of prenatal diagnosis based on fetal DNA in maternal blood is also reported.
- 4st visit: The second trimester ultrasound (19-21 weeks). This studies the morphology of the fetus.
- 5st visit (21-22 weeks): The second trimester maternal analysis is requested, along with the O'Sullivan test (24-28 weeks).
- 6st visit (25-26 weeks): The results of the second trimester analysis are given. During this visit, the 3D and 4D ultrasound to women.
- 7st visit (29-30 weeks): The Anti-D vaccine is administered, if the woman is Rh negative. It is also informed about the whooping cough vaccine. If the patient wishes, the 3D and 4D ultrasound (it's optional).
- 8st visit: The third trimester ultrasound (32-34 weeks). This studies the growth of the fetus. During this visit, the possible donation of umbilical cord blood is reported.
- 9th (36-37 weeks): The mother is asked for a third-trimester blood test and a vagino-rectal smear is performed to detect Streptococcus B Agalactiae. The necessary informed consents are given for delivery assistance.
- 10th (38-39 weeks): It is verified that all the necessary information for the delivery is available. Fetal well-being study tests can be started.
- 11th (40 weeks): Fetal wellness study tests can be performed.
- 12th (41 weeks): Fetal wellness study tests can be performed. This controls the good condition of the baby. The possibility of induction of labor is reported if the woman does not go into labor on her own.
Should I control fetal movements?
Yes, you must control fetal movements, because knowing if your baby moves helps you to know their condition and if they are well.
In one of our blogs titled Fetal Movements you can read the existing information about this practice according to current scientific evidence.
You also have this quick and practical guide infographic on how fetal movements are controlled and how to interpret them.
What is the specialist who controls the pregnancy?
The health specialists who control the pregnancy, in the Institute of gynecology and obstetrics of Dr. Gomez Roig, and according to the current recommendations, are the team's obstetrician and midwife.
Both provide support in information and pregnancy monitoring. Always, the attention of both professionals ensures every week assistance of great human, professional quality, centered on the pregnant woman and her family.
From the first pregnancy control visit, the dynamics and functioning of the team are reported.
A good state of health will prevent the appearance of complications and the need to go to the hospital.
If you go to Institute of Dr. Gómez Roig, Already at the beginning of the pregnancy you will meet the doctor and the midwife who will accompany you during the pregnancy.
In addition, at the beginning of this pleasant but novel experience we will offer you an informative health book prepared by the team's professionals. As well as an email for consultation so that you can contact in case you need it.
When should you go to the gynecologist?
In pregnancy you must go or consult the gynecologist whenever you have any questions or concerns. Some of the symptom that you should not ignore and for which you have to consult or make a visit:
- If you notice a reduction in fetal movements.
- You think you have an infection: you may have an infection if you have a fever, painful urination, abdominal or lower back pain, or blood in your urine. Vomiting or diarrhea, accompanied by fever may be signs of infection. Also infections such as cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, monkeypox and pregnancy that may imply fetal involvement.
- If you present signs of labor before week 35 (threat of premature labor): regular contractions, and/or the expulsion of the mucous plug (mucus that is eliminated vaginally when there are changes in the cervix). There may also be a rupture of the bag of waters, back pain, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Itching sensation in the body: Mild or severe itching, especially affecting the hands and feet, may be signs of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
- If you start with fluid retention (swelling in the feet, ankles, face or hands): sudden swelling may indicate the appearance of preeclampsia (hypertensive state of pregnancy). Other symptoms of preeclampsia are: Headaches (especially those that do not go away with simple painkillers). Swelling in only one leg is also important and should not be ignored, as it may be a sign of a thrombosis (clot in the leg).
- You have frequent nausea or vomiting.
- You suffer abdominal pain.
- If you have visual problems.
- You think you may have gestational diabetes, since you have a history in the family.
Pregnancy Control Video
Other signs or sensations for which you should also consult
- Increased thirst.
- Exhausted.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Blurry vision.
- Heavy vaginal discharge or bleeding.
- Feeling faint and dizzy.
- Any other sensation that worries you.
All women can consult the Institute of gynecology and obstetrics in Barcelona, of Dr. Gomez Roig.
Our mission is to assist you whenever you need it.
Our wide assistance time slot, from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m., and being reachable on weekends, makes it easy.
We always try to offer you, when you need it, personalized, human, and at the same time very professional assistance during the pregnancy control.
It may interest you
Natural Attention to Normal Childbirth
Prenatal Diagnosis
High Resolution Ultrasound
- About the Author
- Last tickets
Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Coordinator of the Sixth Course of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, UB. Director of the Dra. Gómez Roig Institute and Coordinator of Obstetric and Gynecological Processes at the Corachan Clinic in Barcelona.