Are you pregnant? We will advise you when visit a doctor and what examination to undergo
Discovering that you are pregnant is a significant moment in most women's lives, often accompanied by joy but also uncertainty. One of the first questions is when to visit your physician and what to expect in the coming months.
Regular check-ups and screening tests indeed play a key role in caring for the health of both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. In this article, we have prepared an overview of when it is appropriate to see a doctor and what tests are common during pregnancy. If you want to be sure that you don't overlook anything, you can also take advantage of the Unicare maternity package.
When to see a doctor for the first time during pregnancy
After a positive pregnancy test, it is recommended to make an appointment with a gynecologist, usually between the 6th and 8th week of pregnancy (counting from the first day of your last menstrual period). During this period, it is already possible to confirm the pregnancy with an ultrasound and assess its proper development.
However, if any of the following situations occur, you should see your doctor even earlier:
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abdominal pain or bleeding,
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women with a proven chronic illness,
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previous complicated pregnancies,
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suspected ectopic pregnancy.
What happens during the first gynecological check-up during pregnancy
During your first visit, your doctor will perform a number of procedures. These include, in particular:
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confirming the pregnancy with an ultrasound,
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determining the age of the pregnancy and the preliminary due date,
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asking about your overall personal medical history (health status, medications, family history),
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performing a gynecological examination,
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taking blood and urine samples.
This visit also includes the creation of a pregnancy card, in which the results of all examinations during pregnancy are recorded.
Overview of examinations during pregnancy
Pregnancy care is divided into individual trimesters, and the examinations are designed to detect possible complications in a timely manner. Some gynecological examinations are really important, while others are not necessary. Below you will find a timeline of these examinations.
First trimester (up to week 13)
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blood tests (blood type, Rh factor, complete blood count),
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screening for infectious diseases (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B),
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combined screening for congenital defects (ultrasound + biochemistry),
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blood pressure and weight measurement.
Second trimester (weeks 14 to 27)
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detailed morphological ultrasound (around week 20),
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urine and blood pressure tests at each check-up,
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gestational diabetes screening (usually weeks 24 to 28).
Third trimester (from week 28)
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monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume,
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checking the position of the fetus,
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group B streptococcus test,
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cardiotocography (monitoring of fetal heart activity).
How often to go for pregnancy checkups
The frequency of check-ups during pregnancy varies from week to week. Specifically, the frequency of visits should be as follows:
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up to week 28: once every 4 to 6 weeks,
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from week 28 to week 36: once every 2 to 3 weeks,
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after week 36: usually every week.
In the case of a high-risk pregnancy, checkups may of course be more frequent.
When to see a doctor outside of scheduled checkups during pregnancy
If an unexpected situation arises, do not wait for your next appointment with your gynecologist, but contact them as soon as possible. Situations that require immediate contact with a doctor include:
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bleeding or severe abdominal pain,
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fever, chills, severe vomiting,
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sudden swelling of the face or limbs,
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severe headaches, vision problems,
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sudden decrease or disappearance of fetal movements.
These symptoms may indicate complications that need to be addressed without delay.
How can a pregnant woman help herself?
An active approach by the expectant mother herself is also part of a healthy pregnancy. She can help herself and her baby by making simple lifestyle changes.
We therefore recommend focusing on:
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a regular and balanced diet,
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adequate fluid intake,
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moderate exercise,
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avoiding alcohol, smoking, and addictive substances,
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taking recommended supplements (especially folic acid).
If you start to suffer from back pain due to your growing belly, you can also try physiotherapy during pregnancy and after childbirth. However, mental well-being and sufficient rest are just as important as physical health.
Regular visits to the gynecologist during pregnancy are not just a formality, but an essential part of prevention and early detection of possible complications. Most pregnancies proceed without problems, but it is thanks to systematic care that the safety of both mother and child can be ensured. If a woman has any doubts or difficulties, there is a simple rule: it is better to consult sooner rather than later. In any case, if you take advantage of our maternity screening package, you will certainly feel more confident, and our experts will discuss everything with you in detail so that you receive the best possible care during your pregnancy.
Sources:
Česká gynekologická a porodnická společnost ČLS JEP (2023). Vyšetření v jednotlivých týdnech těhotenství. (Cit. 24. 1. 2026.) Published on: https://www.nzip.cz/clanek/1715-vysetreni-v-jednotlivych-tydnech-tehotenstvi
Jaká vyšetření mě čekají v průběhu těhotenství? Co mi hradí zdravotní pojišťovna? (2022) (Cit. 24. 1. 2026.) Published on:
Pavla Večeřová (2025). Těhotenské screeningy a vyšetření: Co čeká budoucí maminku? (Cit. 24. 1. 2026.) Published on: https://www.benu.cz/tehotenske-screeningy-a-vysetreni-co-ceka-budouci-maminku
Jaká vyšetření vás čekají během těhotenství? (2021) (Cit. 24. 1. 2026.) Published on: https://www.drmax.cz/clanky/jaka-vysetreni-vas-cekaji-behem-tehotenstvi