Navigating Your Prenatal Medical Care Brochure

WHAT IS #DAY43?

#Day43 strives to create solutions to combat Black
maternal mortality and to support an all-around
equitable environment for all women, birthing
people, and their babies. By transforming systems,
#Day43 will raise awareness on Black women’s
maternal health in the city of Waterbury through
training, research, technical assistance, policy,
advocacy, and community-centered collaboration.

This brochure provides a checklist so birthers can
feel prepared for their prenatal care appointments.

Education Policy & Legislation Advocacy

WHAT IS PRENATAL CARE?

Prenatal care is health care you may receive from a
medical professional (such as a doctor, midwife, or
nurse). Regular prenatal care provides many health
benefits for you and your babies and can reduce the
risk of complications during pregnancy and
delivery.

During a routine prenatal care check-up, your To learn more about #DAY43 and Black Maternal Health
medical provider may conduct a physical exam and efforts and resources in Waterbury, visit
perform screening and lab tests to monitor your
health as well as your baby's development. However, www.waterburybridgetosuccess.org/BlackMH2022
you are in complete control over what procedures or scan the QR code below!
you want done.
BUILD. TRANSFORM. SUSTAIN.
Regardless of citizenship status, uninsured pregnant 100 N Elm Street, 2nd Floor, Waterbury, CT 06702
women can have prenatal care and 1-year Phone: 203-754-0040 #Day43 Black Maternal Health Awareness
postpartum care covered by HUSKY Health. Call
Access Health CT at 1-855-805-4325 or apply through GET SOCIAL WITH US
www.accesshealthct.com for HUSKY Health
redetermination for you and/or your baby. / @waterburybts_

PRENATAL CARE CHECKLIST

Use this checklist throughout your pregnancy to make
sure you reach these important milestones!

FIRST PRENATAL APPOINTMENT (6-10 weeks) #DAY43 NAVIGATING YOUR PRENATAL MEDICAL CARE:
PREPARING EXPECTANT PARENTS FOR PRENATAL VISITS
Your first prenatal care check-up may be the longest
because your provider will want to know about your START OF SECOND TRIMESTER (13-16 weeks) MIDDLE OF THIRD TRIMESTER (35-37 weeks)
health. During the visit, your provider will: Each visit during your second trimester should occur Your provider may ask if you would like to do a pelvic

Check your height + weight by a physical exam. every four weeks (or 1x a month). At 13-16 weeks, your exam to check if your cervix is starting to dilate. Your
Check your blood, blood pressure, and urine
through blood tests to see if you have any infections provider will perform a blood test called NIPT if you provider will also perform a swab test to see if you have
or may be at risk of preeclampsia, which is high
blood pressure during pregnancy. want to screen for chromosomal abnormalities, which Group B Streptococcus, a bacterial infection that can
Perform a pap smear to check your cervix.
Ask questions about your personal and family estimates the likelihood of your baby developing be passed to your baby if not treated.
medical history.
Ask the date of your last menstrual period to conditions like Down Syndrome. Another blood test END OF THIRD TRIMESTER (After 37 weeks)
figure out your due date. called AFP can screen for neural tube defects. This starts weekly visits with your provider. As you
Likely prescribe daily vitamins like folic acid (400-
800 micrograms) until you reach 12 weeks of approach your due date, your provider will check the
pregnancy. Folic acid helps protect your baby from
birth defects. MIDDLE OF SECOND TRIMESTER (18-20 weeks) dilation of your cervix and make sure your baby is in the
You may start to feel your baby move or kick around this head-down position.
REMAINDER OF FIRST TRIMESTER (7-12 weeks)
time. In addition to seeing your provider, you will have AFTER 40 WEEKS
You will see your provider every four weeks until the an ultrasound at around 18-20 weeks to look at your Antenatal testing between 40 and 41 weeks may be
end of your first trimester. From now on, your blood baby's anatomy and find out their sex, if desired. done via an ultrasound to check your baby’s general
pressure and weight should be checked every visit.
END OF SECOND TRIMESTER (24-28 weeks) well-being. If you are still pregnant at around 42 weeks,
After 10-12 weeks, your provider (and you!) will listen
to your baby's heartbeat at this and every future visit During the check-up, your provider will suggest you take a your provider may also discuss options for induction of
with a device called a Doppler. You may also discuss
with your doctor about performing tests that screen glucose screening test to see if you have gestational labor.
for genetic diseases.

diabetes.

BEGINNING OF THIRD TRIMESTER (29-34 weeks) TIPS DURING VISITS

From now on, visits will occur every two weeks until 36 Ask your provider questions. They should actively listen

weeks and then every week until you deliver. Your and take your concerns seriously!

blood pressure, weight and baby’s heartbeat and Make sure your provider closely monitors your blood

position will be checked each visit. During 29-34 weeks, pressure and discusses any signs of preeclampsia.

you will discuss childbirth, breastfeeding, and Your provider may screen for signs of depression or

postpartum care. Your provider will offer the TDAP anxiety around your third trimester, but tell them or

(tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine. someone in your support system if you're feeling

Sources: UCLA Health, March of Dimes, U.S. Office on Women's Health, Loom HQ anxious or depressed.