Prenatal Appointment Schedule: All Tests, Timing & Costs Explained

How Many Prenatal Tests Are There?

"NT, quad screen, glucose test, anatomy scan… when do I do each one?"

Prenatal tests are numerous, with different tests at different stages. Miss the window and some can't be done. This article helps you understand all prenatal tests at once.

Complete Prenatal Testing Timeline

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)

Week	Test	Cost Estimate	Required?
6-8	Confirm pregnancy, ultrasound	$150-300	✅ Yes
8-12	Initial bloodwork panel	$500-1000	✅ Yes
11-14	NT scan	$200-400	✅ Highly recommended

Initial Panel Includes:

• Complete blood count
• Urinalysis
• Blood type (ABO + Rh)
• Infectious disease screening (Hepatitis B/C, Syphilis, HIV)
• Thyroid function
• Rubella immunity
• Blood pressure, weight

Tip: Initial bloodwork requires fasting—arrive before 8 AM.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-28)

Week	Test	Cost Estimate	Required?
15-20	Quad screen	$100-200	✅ Yes (or NIPT/amnio)
15-20	NIPT	$500-1500	⭕ Alternative to quad screen
20-24	Anatomy scan	$300-600	✅ Yes
24-28	Glucose tolerance test	$75-150	✅ Yes
Every 4 weeks	Routine checkup	$100-200	✅ Yes

Quad Screen vs NIPT vs Amniocentesis

Test	Accuracy	Risk	Cost	Best For
Quad screen	60-70%	None	$100-200	Low-risk pregnancies
NIPT	99%+	None	$500-1500	High-risk, 35+
Amniocentesis	99.9%	Very low	$1500-3000	Confirming NIPT results

Recommendation: If over 35, go directly to NIPT.

Third Trimester (Weeks 29-40)

Week	Test	Cost Estimate	Required?
28-32	Growth ultrasound	$200-400	✅ Yes
30+	Non-stress tests begin	$30-75/each	✅ Yes
32	Size/position ultrasound	$150-300	✅ Yes
36	GBS screening	$50-100	✅ Recommended
37+	Weekly checkups + NST	$100-200/each	✅ Yes

Key Tests Explained

NT Scan (Weeks 11-14)

What is NT? Nuchal translucency measures fluid at the back of baby's neck—an early indicator for Down syndrome.

Important Notes:

• Best time: 12w0d to 13w6d
• No fasting required
• Book early (limited slots)
• NT ≥2.5mm requires follow-up testing

Anatomy Scan (Weeks 20-24)

What's Checked? Complete fetal anatomy including:

• Brain development
• Facial features (lips, palate)
• Heart structure
• Spine
• Limbs
• Internal organs

Important Notes:

• Best time: 22-24 weeks
• Book 2-4 weeks ahead
• No need for full bladder
• Takes 30-60 minutes
• May need to walk and return if baby's position is difficult

Glucose Tolerance Test (Weeks 24-28)

Process:

1. Fasting blood draw
2. Drink 75g glucose solution (within 5 minutes)
3. Blood draw at 1 hour
4. Blood draw at 2 hours

Diagnostic Thresholds (any one exceeded = gestational diabetes):

• Fasting: ≥92 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L)
• 1 hour: ≥180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L)
• 2 hours: ≥153 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L)

Important Notes:

• Eat normally the day before
• Fast 8-14 hours before test
• Don't exercise vigorously after drinking glucose
• Total time: about 2.5 hours

Cost Overview

Estimated Total Prenatal Care Costs

Category	Cost Range	Notes
Basic prenatal care	$2000-4000	Required tests
Optional tests	$500-2000	NIPT, etc.
Additional tests	$300-1000	As needed
Total	$2800-7000	Excludes delivery

Insurance Coverage

What's Typically Covered:

• Most routine prenatal visits
• Standard screening tests
• Ultrasounds (limited number)

Often Out-of-Pocket:

• NIPT (unless high-risk)
• Extra ultrasounds
• Genetic counseling

Tips:

• Know your deductible and out-of-pocket max
• Ask for cost estimates upfront
• Keep all receipts for FSA/HSA

Prenatal Visit Checklist

Bring Every Visit

• Insurance card
• ID
• Previous test results
• List of questions
• Notebook and pen

Ask Every Visit

• Are all results normal?
• Anything I should watch for?
• When is my next appointment?
• What tests are coming up?
• Do I need to schedule anything in advance?

Common Questions

Q: Is formal prenatal care really necessary?

A: Yes. Continuous care means your provider understands your full pregnancy history, and complete records are needed for hospital admission.

Q: Can I switch providers mid-pregnancy?

A: Yes, but bring all previous records. Don't miss critical tests (NT, anatomy scan) during the transition.

Q: What if a test shows something abnormal?

A: Don't panic. Many "abnormal" results need confirmation. Your doctor will guide next steps. Seek a second opinion if unsure.

Q: Can I skip some appointments?

A: Not recommended. Each visit monitors both baby and your health. Every test has a purpose.

Q: Should my partner attend appointments?

A: Recommend key ones (anatomy scan, first heartbeat). Routine visits are optional, but support matters.

Quick Reference Timeline

Week 6-8   → Confirm pregnancy
Week 8-12  → Initial bloodwork
Week 11-14 → NT scan ⚠️ Don't miss
Week 15-20 → Quad screen or NIPT
Week 20-24 → Anatomy scan ⚠️ Book early
Week 24-28 → Glucose test ⚠️ Fasting
Week 28-32 → Growth ultrasound
Week 32+   → Visits every 2 weeks
Week 36+   → Weekly visits + NST

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