At the first prenatal visit, your obstetrician may discover certain conditions or findings that suggest a possible increased risk to you or your baby.

In addition to the family history and obstetrical history, initial examination may reveal hypertension, glucose or protein in the urine, or uterine fibroids.

Early pregnancy milestones

• Confirmation of normal fetus on ultrasound
  • Normal circular gestational sac
  • Fetal heartbeat seen, rate more than 100
  • If above 2 criteria are seen, chance of miscarriage is less than 4 percent.

• 10-11 weeks: measurement of nuchal translucency and blood tests for estimation of risk for chromosomal anomalies (Down syndrome and trisomy 13 and 18)

• 18-20 weeks: screening ultrasound for fetal anomalies. This scan is scheduled at this time because most of the baby's organs can be visualized and any problems detected. See the screening ultrasound exam.