Overview of Prenatal Care at Yale Health

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Our group is here to support you throughout your journey. We would like to give you an overview of what to anticipate during your prenatal care at Yale Health. Below is a general schedule of appointments and testing. There may be additional appointments or testing recommended to you by the clinicians, depending on your circumstances.

During your first prenatal appointment in the office (typically at 8 to 10 weeks gestational age), we will review your medical history and your medications, perform a physical exam, discuss the recommended testing, explain genetic testing options, and together with you develop your care plan for your pregnancy. During subsequent prenatal care appointments, we will monitor your blood pressure and weight, check the baby’s heartbeat, and evaluate whether your pregnancy is progressing normally. We will be able to answer any questions you may have during each visit. You are welcome to bring a significant other to the appointments. 

We also recommend scheduling an appointment with the Genetic Support Foundation, a group of prenatal genetic counselors who offer telehealth appointments for our patients. This service is covered by Yale Health insurance. You can call 844-743-6384, ext. 709, to schedule this appointment either before or after your first prenatal care appointment. Their website provides information on genetic testing options during pregnancy.

We recommend that all our patients purchase a blood pressure cuff at our pharmacy (around $25) and monitor their blood pressure at home.

We offer the option of midwifery care at the Center for Midwifery and Women’s Health (CMWH), 789 Howard Avenue, New Haven. If you are interested in this option, please review with us at your 12- 13-week appointment, as this is when we would typically refer you. It is also possible to be referred later in the pregnancy.

Whether you continue to see us at 55 Lock Street or opt to go to CMWH, you will have your birth at Yale New Haven Hospital at 20 York Street. This is a beautiful, recently remodeled unit with a Baby-Friendly designation and staff dedicated to helping you have a safe, patient-centered delivery experience.

We have a lot of information about pregnancy on our Yale Health website, including information about childbirth and parenting classes and hospital tours. We highly recommend enrolling in these classes, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. We also recommend regular exercise during pregnancy, and there are classes offered in the area for pregnant individuals. Exercise has been shown to improve your health during pregnancy and may also help decrease the risk of postpartum depression. Learn more about classes and events.

You may also want to look at YNHH Maternity Services website.

Our Nutrition Department sponsors a group class called Yale Health-y about high-quality nutrition during pregnancy, which is offered on Zoom. We encourage you to enroll in this class.

8-10 weeks: We will review your past medical history and any current health conditions and perform a physical exam. We will also review genetic testing options. If you have received care at another office or health care facility, we would appreciate receiving a copy of those records prior to these appointments so they can be reviewed with you during the appointments.

11-13 weeks: Office appointment. 

15-17 weeks: Office appointment. We offer the AFP blood test for screening for open spine defects and this is typically done between 15-18 weeks.

20 weeks: Ultrasound for anatomy screening. Usually this is performed in our Diagnostic Imaging department on the Lower Level of 55 Lock Street. Patients who are 35 years of age or older at their due date, or who have other higher risk conditions, will be referred to Yale Maternal Fetal Medicine for the anatomy ultrasound. MFM is located at 1 Long Wharf Drive.

20-21 weeks: Office or telehealth appointment.

24 weeks: Office appointment. Third trimester blood tests will be ordered for you to do between 24 and 28 weeks. These blood tests include a glucose challenge test to check for diabetes of pregnancy.

28 weeks: Office appointment.

32 weeks: Office appointment.

36 weeks: Office appointment. Group B strep rectal/vaginal swab test is collected during this appointment. An ultrasound is performed to check that your baby is head down (not breech).

38 weeks: Office appointment.

39 weeks: Office appointment.

40 weeks: Office appointment.