Pregnancy Timeline & Key Events
Every pregnancy is unique.
The information provided here is a general guideline. If you have questions about the timing of a key event during your pregnancy, your baby’s development, or the changes that you are noticing in your body, please ask!
Vaccinations during and after pregnancy
- Access the CDC's resource page related to vaccinations during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Pertinent tests and clinical events
- Up to a year prior to trying to conceive: Schedule an appointment for preconception counseling. Visit our preconception planning page!
- Once you know (or think) you are pregnant: Call our office and visit our early pregnancy resource page.
- 8-10 weeks gestation: Obstetrical history appointment; may include blood tests
- 10-12 weeks gestation: Obstetrical physical appointment
- 11-13 weeks: Optional screenings for chromosomal abnormalities.
- 14-16 weeks: (Optional) Sign up for childbirth classes. Many local hospitals offer childbirth classes and other prenatal classes, including Baystate Medical Center - please contact the hospital for more information.
- 16-20 weeks: Optional screenings tests
- 20 weeks (aproximately): Baby’s anatomy ultrasound!
- 26-28 weeks: Glucose tolerance test (GTT) – a screening test for diabetes in pregnancy. Expecting mothers who have Rh negative blood type will receive an injection of Rhogam
- 27-36 weeks: Tdap vaccine recommended
- 36-37 weeks: Group B strep culture
- 38 weeks: Weekly internal exams to check for dilation
- 40-42 weeks: Non stress test (NST) and/or biophysical profile test (BPP), performed in ultrasound
In this section
Welcoming a baby into your home involves many changes - even for canine family members! Expecting parents may want to look into the Dogs and Storks program offered by the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society.
