Finding out you’re pregnant can bring a lot of emotions at once: excitement, questions, uncertainty, and maybe a little overwhelm. One of the first things you may wonder is: What happens next?
At Diana Health, prenatal care is designed to help you feel informed, supported, and prepared throughout your pregnancy. And while every pregnancy is different, here’s what you can generally expect at Diana Health.
Early Pregnancy: Getting Started
Once you find out you’re expecting, patience can be hard to come by. Fortunately, here at Diana Health you can start prenatal care as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test.
We typically start with a New Pregnancy Virtual Consult (NPVC), which you can schedule as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test.* During this telehealth visit, a Diana Health clinician will get to know you, review your health history, answer early pregnancy questions, and help prepare you for the next steps in your care. Expect to come away from your NPVC visit with a clear understanding of:
- What your upcoming prenatal appointments will look like
- What testing may be recommended and when
- How to access support from your Diana Health team throughout your pregnancy
Around the same time, you’ll also be connected with your dedicated Care Navigator, who will help you schedule and prepare for your upcoming appointments, coordinate your care, and make sure you know what to expect throughout your journey. Think of your care navigator as your Diana Health pregnancy concierge!
**For some patients, an NPVC may not be appropriate. In these cases, we may recommend you kick off your care with a short in-person Pregnancy Confirmation visit instead. As a note, a Pregnancy Confirmation appointment doesn’t typically include an ultrasound (your first routine ultrasound generally takes place with your New OB visit).
9–12 Weeks: Your First In-Person Prenatal Visit
For most patients, the first comprehensive in-person prenatal appointment takes place between approximately 9 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. We call this your New OB visit, and it will typically include your first ultrasound, prenatal lab work, and a more detailed review of your health, pregnancy, and care plan.
We know it can be tempting to want an ultrasound immediately after seeing a positive pregnancy test. In an uncomplicated early pregnancy, however, an ultrasound performed very early may not yet be able to provide all of the information your care team is looking for. Waiting until this point in pregnancy generally allows the ultrasound to give us more useful information about things like pregnancy dating and viability.
Of course, not every pregnancy follows the same timeline. If you have symptoms, a health history, or another concern that means you should be evaluated sooner, your Diana Health care team will help determine the appropriate next step.
Your Ongoing Prenatal Visits
After your New OB visit, you’ll move into regular prenatal appointments with your Diana Health care team. Prenatal care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your visits shouldn’t feel rushed or transactional. Just like you, we care about this pregnancy deeply, and our goal is to ensure you feel supported and heard.
Early in pregnancy, these Return OB visits (ROBs) are generally spaced farther apart. As you get closer to your due date, you’ll see us more frequently. Your exact schedule may vary based on your health, your pregnancy, and your care needs.
Throughout pregnancy, your appointments may include:
- Checking on your health and your baby’s growth and development
- Ultrasounds at key points in pregnancy, including your anatomy scan
- Recommended screening tests, such as glucose screening
- Conversations about symptoms, questions, or concerns
- Support for your physical and emotional well-being
- Planning for labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery
At Diana Health, our OB/GYNs, Certified Nurse Midwives, and other members of your care team work collaboratively. You’ll have opportunities to build relationships with the providers caring for you while also getting to know other members of the team who may be involved in your pregnancy or delivery.
Many tests and ultrasounds can also be completed right in the office, helping keep your care coordinated in one place.
For answers about appointments, ultrasounds, provider choice, and more, visit our Pregnancy FAQs.
Second Trimester: Watching Your Pregnancy Grow
During your second trimester, many patients begin to settle into a rhythm with prenatal care. Your visits will continue to monitor your health and your baby’s development, while also giving you plenty of space to talk about how pregnancy is affecting you physically and emotionally.
A major milestone during this trimester is typically your anatomy ultrasound, which allows your care team to take a detailed look at your baby’s development.
You’ll also continue discussing topics like:
- Nutrition and movement guidance
- Mental health and emotional well-being
- Questions or symptoms you’re experiencing
- Birth preferences
- What to expect as you move into the second half of pregnancy
Third Trimester: Getting Ready for Delivery
As you enter your third trimester, your appointments generally become more frequent and the focus begins to shift toward preparing for birth.
Your care team will continue monitoring you and your baby while helping you prepare for labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.
Together, you’ll talk through topics such as:
- Your birth preferences
- Pain-management and comfort options
- Who you’d like to have with you during labor
- What to expect at your delivering hospital
- Preparing for recovery after delivery
- Feeding and newborn-care questions
- Any fears, concerns, or questions you have about birth
Have questions about birth preferences, your delivering hospital, or pain management options? Our Pregnancy FAQs can help.
Postpartum: Care Doesn’t Stop After Delivery
Your care with Diana Health continues after your baby arrives.
Around 48 hours after you go home, your Care Navigator will reach out by phone or text to check in and make sure you have the support you need. Your postpartum care will also include follow-up visits with your clinical team. In general:
- Your first postpartum check-in takes place about 1–2 weeks after delivery. This is typically virtual after a vaginal delivery and in-person after a C-section.
- You’ll return for an in-person postpartum visit around 6 weeks after delivery.
These visits give us an opportunity to talk about your physical recovery, emotional well-being, feeding, sleep, birth experience, contraception, and anything else on your mind.
And if you need more support along the way, Diana Health can connect you with additional resources, including our virtual mental health providers.
Learn more about postpartum care and other common pregnancy questions in our Pregnancy FAQs.
We’re With You, Every Step of the Way
Pregnancy can feel like a long list of appointments, tests, and milestones. But your care should feel like more than a checklist.
From your first positive pregnancy test through delivery and postpartum recovery, Diana Health is here to help you understand what comes next, make informed decisions, and feel supported throughout your experience
Ready to get started?
Get started with pregnancy care at Diana Health.
Still have questions?
Visit our Pregnancy FAQs for answers about your first appointments, providers, ultrasounds, delivery, insurance and billing, postpartum care, and more.
