How to Track Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a special process that will be unforgettable for mothers and fathers-to-be. During this period, the mother's body experiences significant changes both biologically and physically. The mother's nutritional needs increase and begin to be shared with the developing baby. As the baby grows healthily, changes in the mother's body accelerate.

Although pregnancy is a natural process, some health risks can make this period difficult. Conditions such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension (preeclampsia), placental abnormalities and chromosomal disorders can endanger the health of both mother and baby. These problems can even lead to serious complications such as miscarriage if precautions are not taken.

Pregnancy monitoring aims to minimize such risks by ensuring that the mother and baby undergo regular health checks. Ultrasound scans, blood tests and detailed examinations performed by specialist doctors help to detect possible health problems at an early stage. In this way, necessary treatment processes can be started without delay and a healthy pregnancy process can be supported.

What is Pregnancy Monitoring?

Pregnancy monitoring consists of regular check-ups performed throughout the pregnancy to monitor the health of the mother and the baby, to evaluate their development and to detect possible health risks at an early stage. Certain weeks during pregnancy are critical for the baby's development. Because some health problems can only be diagnosed with tests performed at certain periods.

Thanks to regular pregnancy monitoring, the doctor informs the parents during these important weeks, plans the necessary screening tests and takes early precautions against possible health risks. Both the mother and the baby are evaluated in detail with various methods such as blood tests, ultrasound examinations and genetic screenings. A healthy pregnancy process is supported by starting a treatment process when necessary for problems diagnosed early.

Diseases and Risky Situations That May Be Encountered During Pregnancy

The pregnancy process is a special period in which many physiological and hormonal changes occur in the expectant mother's body. Some diseases and complications may develop due to these changes. Pregnancy monitoring is very important to diagnose such health problems early and take precautions.

The most common diseases and risks during pregnancy are as follows:

• Gestational Diabetes: It is a condition that develops during pregnancy and causes blood sugar to be higher than normal. It should be monitored with proper nutrition and a doctor's supervision.
• Gestational Hypertension: An increase in blood pressure during pregnancy can negatively affect the health of the mother and baby. In severe cases, it can turn into preeclampsia.
• Chromosomal Abnormalities in the Baby: Genetic diseases such as Down syndrome can be detected early thanks to prenatal tests.
• Miscarriage Risk: Pregnancy losses may occur due to genetic factors, infections, uterine abnormalities or hormonal disorders.
• Placenta Problems: Conditions such as placenta previa or placental abruption can lead to the risk of bleeding and premature birth.
• Infectious Diseases: Some infections during pregnancy (Toxoplasmosis, CMV, Rubella, etc.) can negatively affect the baby's development.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: It occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes, and may require emergency intervention.
• Metabolic Disorders: Metabolic disorders such as thyroid diseases or insulin resistance in the expectant mother can make pregnancy difficult.
• Excessive Weight Gain or Weight Loss: Healthy weight gain is important throughout pregnancy. Sudden weight changes can pose a risk for both the mother and the baby.
• Developmental Problems of the Baby: Growth retardation and organ development anomalies, which can be detected with ultrasound and other prenatal tests, may occur.
• Psychological Problems: Depression, anxiety disorders and postpartum psychological disorders may occur due to the effect of pregnancy hormones.

Regular pregnancy check-ups are essential for early diagnosis and follow-up of such health problems. Thanks to pregnancy follow-up, the healthiest process can be managed for both the mother and the baby.

 

How to Track Your Pregnancy Week by Week?

 

Tests and Examinations Performed During Pregnancy Follow-up

Various tests and scans are performed to monitor the health of the mother and baby throughout the pregnancy process. These tests allow for early diagnosis of possible health problems and timely intervention.

Here are the basic tests performed during pregnancy follow-up:

1. Ultrasound Examinations

• Two-dimensional Ultrasound: Used to evaluate the basic anatomical structure of the baby.
• Three-dimensional Ultrasound: Provides more detailed imaging of the baby, especially used to detect facial and organ abnormalities.
• Four-dimensional Ultrasound: Provides detailed examination of the developmental process by presenting moving images of the baby.

2. Blood and Urine Tests

• Complete Blood Count (Hemogram): Performed to determine whether the mother-to-be has anemia.
• Urine Test: Performed to evaluate kidney functions, urinary tract infections and the risk of pregnancy poisoning (preeclampsia).
• Blood Sugar Test: Performed to determine the risk of gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes).

3. Screening Tests

• Double Screening Test (11-14 weeks): Evaluates the risk of Down syndrome and some chromosomal diseases.
• Triple Screening Test (16-18 weeks): Used to determine the risk of genetic diseases in the baby.
• Quadruple Screening Test (16-20 weeks): Screens for diseases such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and neural tube defects.

4. Genetic Tests and Infection Screening Tests

• Baby DNA Test from Maternal Blood (NIPT): An advanced test performed to detect chromosomal diseases in the baby.
• Smear Test: Performed to screen for cervical cancer and infections.
• Syphilis Test: Performed to determine whether the mother is a syphilis carrier.
• Rubella Test: Determines whether the mother is immune to rubella.
• Toxoplasma, CMV and Rubella Tests: Performed to detect the presence of infections that may threaten the baby's development.

How to Follow Pregnancy Week by Week?

The pregnancy process is a special period in which many biological and physical changes occur for both the mother and the baby. Week by week pregnancy follow-up consists of checks to ensure that this process progresses healthily and to determine possible health risks in advance.

How to Plan Pregnancy Follow-up?

Pregnancy follow-up begins with informing the mother and father candidates. The doctor explains the changes that may occur during this process, possible problems and the necessary precautions for their early detection.

• Pregnancy Calendar is Created: Which tests will be performed in which week are determined.
• Individual Health Status is Evaluated: Chronic diseases of the mother candidate, if any, are regularly monitored.
• Adapt to Changes in the Body: Suggestions are made against physical and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
• Birth Preparation Process Begins: The most appropriate birth method is determined for the mother candidate and birth preparation training is provided.

Week by Week Pregnancy Follow-up

Weeks 4-8: A beta HCG test is performed to confirm the pregnancy. The first ultrasound examination checks the baby's sac and heartbeat.

Weeks 9-12: A double screening test is performed. It is evaluated whether the baby has genetic abnormalities.

Weeks 13-16: The baby's development and chromosomal disease risk are evaluated with triple or quadruple screening tests.

Weeks 17-22: A maternal blood-baby DNA test can be performed with samples taken from the mother's blood. In addition, detailed ultrasound examinations are performed.

Weeks 23-28: A sugar loading test (gestational diabetes screening) is performed. It is evaluated whether the baby has developmental delay or excessive growth.

Weeks 29-34: Blood pressure and tension checks are performed. The risk of preeclampsia is evaluated. The mother-to-be is given detailed information about the birth process.

Weeks 35-40. Week: The baby's birth position is checked, the baby's heartbeat and uterine contractions are monitored with NST (Non-Stress Test). Birth planning is done.

Regular pregnancy follow-up is very important to protect the health of both the mother and the baby. The pregnancy process can be made healthier and safer thanks to the early detection of possible risks.