Key Antenatal Care Milestones Every Expectant Mother Should Know

Thanks to modern medical advancements, many fetal anomalies can be screened and detected early in pregnancy. Timely prenatal examinations allow doctors to assess risks, monitor development, and recommend timely medical guidance.

FIRST TRIMESTER (WEEKS 11–14)

This is a pivotal window for chromosomal risk assessment:

• Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan: Typically performed between weeks 11 and 14. Combined with maternal clinical data, the Double Test helps evaluate risks for conditions such as Down, Edwards, and Patau syndromes.
• NIPT: Non-invasive prenatal testing, available from approximately week 9 onwards, offering highly accurate screening for common chromosomal trisomies.
• Routine blood screenings: Thalassemia screening, HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and other essential baseline tests.

SECOND TRIMESTER (WEEKS 14–24)

A critical stage for comprehensive structural organ evaluation:

• If first-trimester screening was missed, a Triple Test may be advised around weeks 16–17.
• Weeks 20–24 (Fetal Anomaly Scan): An essential milestone evaluating structural anatomy, including the heart, brain, spine, chest, digestive tract, genitourinary system, and skeletal limbs.

THIRD TRIMESTER

Regular antenatal monitoring remains essential. Late ultrasounds help assess fetal growth velocity, amniotic fluid volume, placental maturity, and identify any late-onset conditions.

IMPORTANT FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS: No single test detects all fetal abnormalities. Screening tests evaluate statistical risk rather than provide a definitive diagnosis. If higher risk or ultrasound concerns arise, your obstetrician will guide you toward specialized diagnostic assessments.

👉 Consult your obstetrician from the earliest weeks to establish a personalized antenatal care and screening schedule.

💙 Book an appointment with Dr. Ngoc Anh at Raffles Medical Vung Tau for compassionate, dedicated maternity care in a private and comfortable setting.

🎁 Special Antenatal Consultation & Ultrasound Combo: 350,000 VND along with exclusive privileges.

To schedule an appointment or inquire about maternity packages, please contact:

(This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical consultation or diagnosis.)