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During your pregnancy, you will have regular checkups with your doctor or midwife. You may hear these called prenatal checkups. Your doctor or midwife will check on your health and on your baby's health and development as well.

In the United States, doctors are advised to check on your baby's growth and well-being at these times during your pregnancy.¹

Between 10 weeks and 12 weeks, your doctor:

• Will listen to your baby's heartbeat with a stethoscope (this test is also done at every checkup after this one)
• Will do blood tests to check for some problems that are passed on from parents to babies.

Between 16 weeks and 18 weeks, your doctor:

• Will do more blood tests to check for some other problems that are passed on from parents to babies
• May do an ultrasound scan to check for problems in the way your baby is formed
• Will measure how big your belly is, from the top to the bottom of your womb. This is called the fundal height. It is a way of figuring out how big your baby is. The test is done again at 22, 28, 32 and 36 weeks, and between 38 and 41 weeks. This is to track your baby's growth.

At 36 weeks, your doctor will check which way your baby is facing in your womb by feeling your belly.

These are the standard checks for a normal pregnancy. If any of these tests suggest your baby is not growing properly, you will be offered extra tests and be checked more often from then on.

Doctors and midwives don't regularly check to see how much your baby is moving in your womb. But if you notice your baby is much less active than before, tell your doctor or midwife.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.