Pregnancy is a journey of forty weeks, and knowing what to expect at each stage makes it far less daunting. Whether you are newly pregnant or planning your first visit, this guide walks you through the key check-ups, scans and health priorities for every trimester. At Mithr Women's Health in Electronics City, Bangalore — serving patients from Doddathogur, Hebbagodi, Neeladri Road, Electronics City Phase 1 and Phase 2, and across South Bengaluru — we build your entire care plan around this schedule, so you are never left guessing what comes next or whether you are on track.
First Trimester (Weeks 1–12): Building the Foundation
What Is Happening in Your Body
Your body is doing remarkable work in these first twelve weeks — forming the baby's heart, brain, spine, and all major organs. For you, this often means fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and heightened emotions. All of these are normal responses to the surge in pregnancy hormones. Some women sail through the first trimester; others find it the most physically demanding phase. Either experience is valid.
Key Tests and Visits in the First Trimester
Your first antenatal appointment should ideally happen between weeks 6 and 10. At this visit, Dr Shobana will confirm the pregnancy with a viability scan, check for a fetal heartbeat, and assess whether the pregnancy is in the correct location. Blood tests at this stage include your blood group and Rh factor, haemoglobin, thyroid function, blood sugar, and screening for infections such as rubella, hepatitis B and HIV.
Between weeks 11 and 13, your NT scan (nuchal translucency scan) is performed. This is a critical first-trimester screening test that measures fluid at the back of the baby's neck and, combined with a maternal blood test, gives a risk estimate for chromosomal conditions such as Down's syndrome. Missing this window means losing an important early data point, so schedule it as soon as your first trimester begins.
- Viability scan (weeks 6–8) — confirms heartbeat and location
- NT scan + double marker blood test (weeks 11–13)
- Booking bloods — blood group, Rh factor, haemoglobin, thyroid, blood sugar, infection screen
- Folic acid 5mg supplementation confirmed or commenced
- Dietary and lifestyle counselling
Second Trimester (Weeks 13–26): The Monitoring Phase
What Is Happening in Your Body
Most women describe the second trimester as the most comfortable phase of pregnancy. Nausea typically eases, energy returns, and you begin to feel the baby's movements — usually between weeks 18 and 22 for a first pregnancy. Your abdomen starts to show clearly, and weight gain becomes more noticeable. Blood pressure monitoring becomes more important from this point, as conditions like pre-eclampsia can begin to emerge in the second half of pregnancy.
Key Scans and Check-ups
The most important scan of your pregnancy — the anomaly scan (or TIFFA scan) — is performed between weeks 18 and 20. This detailed ultrasound examines the baby's anatomy systematically: brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs, and placental position. It is not just a gender scan — it is a structural assessment that can detect major developmental concerns early enough to allow informed decisions and specialist planning.
Between weeks 24 and 28, you will be screened for gestational diabetes (GDM) with a glucose challenge or glucose tolerance test. GDM is increasingly common and, if unmanaged, carries risks for both mother and baby. At Mithr, we provide dietary guidance and close monitoring for all women diagnosed with GDM.
- Anomaly scan / TIFFA scan (weeks 18–20)
- Cervical length assessment if indicated
- GDM screening — OGTT (weeks 24–28)
- Haemoglobin recheck and iron supplement review
- Blood pressure and urine checks at every visit
Third Trimester (Weeks 27–40): Preparing for Delivery
What Is Happening in Your Body
The third trimester is about growth, positioning and preparation. The baby gains most of its weight now, and you may experience shortness of breath, backache, swelling of the feet, and more frequent urination as the uterus expands. Fetal movements should be felt regularly every day — any significant reduction in movements should be reported to your doctor immediately. From week 36, your appointments become weekly, with a focus on the baby's position and delivery readiness.
Key Scans and Delivery Planning
A growth scan between weeks 28 and 32 assesses the baby's size, amniotic fluid levels, and placental function. A Doppler scan may be added if there are concerns about fetal growth or blood flow. From week 36, your doctor will assess the baby's presentation (head-down or breech), the cervix, and your overall readiness for labour. Your delivery plan — including preferred hospital, mode of delivery, and contingency for complications — is finalised at this stage.
- Growth scan + Doppler (weeks 28–32)
- Repeat anomaly check if indicated
- Weekly visits from week 36
- Baby position check and cervical assessment
- Delivery planning and hospital registration
Tips That Apply Across All Three Trimesters
- ✓Take your supplements. Folic acid in the first trimester, iron and calcium throughout, vitamin D if levels are low. Don't skip doses.
- ✓Eat well, not for two. A balanced diet of whole grains, protein, vegetables, dairy and fruit is more useful than simply eating more.
- ✓Stay active. Walking 20–30 minutes daily is safe and beneficial throughout a normal pregnancy. Ask your doctor before more intense exercise.
- ✓Never miss a scheduled scan. Each scan serves a specific clinical purpose — skipping one means missing a defined window for that particular assessment.
- ✓Report symptoms promptly. Bleeding, severe headache, blurred vision, reduced fetal movement, or pain should never be waited out. Call your clinic.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Raman Shobana, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist & Ultrasound Specialist, Mithr Women's Health, Electronics City, Bangalore.