First Trimester: Building the Foundation

The first trimester starts from week 1 and continues until the end of week 13. This is the stage when the baby’s brain, spinal cord, heart, limbs, and early organs begin forming. Many mothers experience nausea, tiredness, breast tenderness, food aversions, mood changes, and frequent urination.

After a positive pregnancy test, the first doctor visit is important. Your doctor may review your medical history, previous pregnancy details, medicines, allergies, thyroid problems, diabetes, blood pressure, and family history. Blood and urine tests may be advised to check haemoglobin, blood group, Rh factor, thyroid profile, sugar levels, urine infection, and general health.

A viability scan is commonly done around 6 to 8 weeks. It confirms whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus, checks the heartbeat, estimates pregnancy age, and shows whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy. Correct dating is important because many future scans and tests must be done during specific weeks.

The NT scan is usually done between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days. It measures the fluid-filled space behind the baby’s neck and helps assess the chance of certain chromosomal conditions. It may be combined with a blood test for better risk assessment.

Healthy first-trimester habits include taking prescribed supplements, eating balanced meals, drinking enough water, resting well, and avoiding smoking, alcohol, unsafe medicines, and unhygienic food. If there is bleeding, severe pain, high fever, or persistent vomiting, medical advice should be taken quickly.

Second Trimester: Growth and Detailed Assessment

The second trimester covers weeks 14 to 27. Many mothers feel more energetic, and nausea may reduce. The baby starts growing faster, and movements may begin to be felt.

This trimester includes one of the most important scans: the anomaly scan, also called the level 2 scan. Parents often ask when is anomaly scan done because timing is very important. This scan is generally performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. During this period, the baby is developed enough for the specialist to examine many organs and structures in detail.

The anomaly scan checks the baby’s brain, spine, face, heart, stomach, kidneys, bladder, arms, legs, placenta, amniotic fluid, and growth pattern. It can help identify many structural concerns, although no scan can detect every possible condition. It also helps doctors decide whether further monitoring, fetal echo, or follow-up scans are needed.

If you are wondering when is anomaly scan done, it is best to plan it within the advised window and not delay the appointment without medical reason. The baby’s position can sometimes affect visibility, so the specialist may ask the mother to walk, change position, or return after some time.

The second trimester is also a good time to focus on nutrition, safe movement, and weight monitoring. Include protein-rich foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, nuts, and iron-rich options. Gentle walking or prenatal exercise may be helpful if approved by your doctor. Continue regular checkups to monitor blood pressure, symptoms, and baby growth.

Some mothers may need a fetal echo, especially if there is a family history of heart problems, diabetes, increased NT, IVF pregnancy, or a concern in the anomaly scan. Others may need additional blood tests or cervical length assessment depending on pregnancy history.

Third Trimester: Monitoring Wellbeing and Preparing for Birth

The third trimester starts from week 28 and continues until delivery. The baby gains weight, organs continue maturing, and the mother may feel heaviness, backache, swelling, acidity, sleep difficulty, or frequent urination.

Doctor visits may become more frequent. Blood pressure, weight gain, swelling, urine findings, baby movements, and symptoms are monitored closely. A growth scan may be advised to check estimated baby weight, amniotic fluid, placenta position, and baby’s growth pattern.

A Doppler scan may be recommended in selected cases to assess blood flow between the mother, placenta, and baby. It is commonly used when there is high blood pressure, suspected growth restriction, reduced fetal movements, twins, or other high-risk factors.

In the final weeks, a scan may help check baby position, fluid level, placenta, and growth. This can support delivery planning, especially if the baby is breech, fluid is low, growth is restricted, or the mother has medical concerns.

The third trimester is also the time to prepare for birth. Discuss labour signs, hospital bag essentials, emergency symptoms, feeding plans, and postpartum care with your doctor. Track baby movements and report any noticeable reduction. Do not ignore severe headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling, bleeding, leaking fluid, or strong abdominal pain.

FAQs

1. How many scans are needed during pregnancy?

The number of scans depends on the pregnancy condition. Common scans include viability scan, NT scan, anomaly scan, growth scan, Doppler if needed, and final position or growth scan.

2. Is the anomaly scan painful?

No. It is a non-invasive ultrasound scan. Mild pressure may be felt on the abdomen during scanning.

3. Can the anomaly scan detect all birth defects?

No scan can detect every condition. The anomaly scan can identify many structural concerns, but some conditions may appear later or may not be visible on ultrasound.

4. What should I carry for pregnancy checkups?

Carry previous scan reports, blood test results, prescriptions, medical history, and your pregnancy file for proper comparison and guidance.

Conclusion

A healthy pregnancy needs different care at different stages. The first trimester focuses on confirmation, early screening, and safe habits. The second trimester includes detailed assessment through the anomaly scan. The third trimester monitors growth, wellbeing, and birth preparation. For parents planning an Anomaly Scan in Chandigarh, The Garbh provides focused pregnancy imaging, reporting, and guidance for a more informed pregnancy journey.