First examination is recommended when you are two months pregnant. Its duration is a bit longer and includes: anamnestic data, general examination, gynaecological examination and planning laboratory controls and further controls.

Anamnesis is taking information about the patient and patient’s family so that the doctor can easily notice if there are any risk factors for you and your pregnancy.

General examination includes: measuring your body height BH and body weight BW, determining BMI, blood pressure measuring and urine sample analysis.

Gynaecological examination determines the state of cervix, uterus, ovaries and oviducts and uterus itself. The most important is to determine the size of uterus and any changes on cervix.

During your first examination, you will find out the due date.

After first examination, the following ones are usually shorter and through them always is monitored our physical and mental adjustment to the pregnancy and the child’s condition. The frequency of examination depends on whether the pregnancy is orderly or risky.

With orderly pregnancy, calendar of examinations looks like this:

• Until 28th week of pregnancy- once a month (8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 28 weeks)
• From 28th to 34th week of pregnancy – every 3 weeks (31st and 34th week)
• 36 weeks- 2 weeks
• From 36th to 39th week of pregnancy- once a week (37th week, 38th week, 39th week)
• From 39th week we recommend doing examination in the chosen maternity hospital.

In case the doctor determines that there are risks for you and the child, then he will recommend more frequent controls.

During every control in gynaecological practice, you are going to carry out a series of tests: weight measurement, calculate BMI, blood pressure measuring, it will be determined whether there are any proteins, sugar and inflammatory cells in the urine, to show the child’s heart with an ultrasound in order that you can see it or hear its beats too. Each examination and its result will be recorded in the pregnancy book.

Tests which are recommended during the pregnancy

Laboratory tests from blood in the 1st trimester-: complete blood count, urine analysis, blood glucose levels, thyroid hormones, CRP, concentration of iron, Fe and ferritin and transfusion tests- blood type, sensitisation tests, hepatitis and syphilis markers.

Papanicolau test (PAPA test) in the 1st trimester, which is taken from cervix and birth canal during examination, can detect, at the earliest stage, infection or malignant changes in that part of the uterus. (unless it was analysed just before the pregnancy)

Bacteriological tests (uterine cervical swabs and urine culture) for sexually transmitted diseases or to isolate infectious agents from the urine during the I trimester.

After 24th week of pregnancy, OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test = glucose tolerance test) for detecting diabetes during pregnancy.

In 28th week of pregnancy, we repeat sensitisation tests ICT (indirect Coombs test), complete blood count, concentration of iron, Fe and ferritin and a marker of inflammation CRP.

From 35th to 37th week- vaginal swab for bacteriological analysis- beta haemolytic streptococcus group B (BHSB)

During each regular control, we recommend ultrasound examination, but after ultrasound confirmation of a proper pregnancy in 7th or 8th week, we strongly recommend a minimum of four more important ultrasound terms- during 12th week due to mini anomaly scan; during 20th week due to anomaly scan and in 28th and 34th week of pregnancy to monitor fetal growth and doppler control of placenta functions and fetal condition.

Besides those listed basic laboratory examinations, in Polyclinic it is possible to do an early combined screening of pregnancy to chromosomal abnormalities (hormones from blood PAPP and f-bHcG (Beta human chorionic gonadotropin) + ultrasound mini anomaly scan 11-13+6), prenatal tests (NIFTY…), thrombophilia tests and monitoring levels of bHCG in high risk pregnancies.

Visits to Polyclinic Arcadia can be appointed personally, via e-mail or via phone through a contact number +385 (043) 675200.