WhatsAppComprehensive Antenatal Care in Normal and High-Risk Pregnancy
The Pregnancy Follow-up Unit carries out a systematic monitoring process aimed at protecting the health of mother and baby from a positive pregnancy test through to birth. Alongside routine pregnancy follow-up, the unit also manages high-risk conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, multiple pregnancy and fetal anomalies with comprehensive protocols. An individualised birth plan is prepared for every mother by obstetrics and gynaecology specialists, with a team experienced in fetal medicine and multidisciplinary coordination.
Contents
What Is the Pregnancy Follow-up Unit?
Antenatal care is one of the most powerful tools for preventing maternal and infant deaths. From the early weeks of pregnancy, this unit monitors the baby's growth and development using ultrasonographic and biochemical methods, and intervenes by identifying risk factors that threaten the mother's health in good time. Specific monitoring protocols are applied both to uncomplicated normal pregnancies and to high-risk pregnancies.
Which Conditions Are Monitored and Managed?
- Follow-up of uncomplicated (normal) pregnancy
- Monitoring of high-risk pregnancy (advanced maternal age, chronic disease, complications in a previous pregnancy)
- First- and second-trimester prenatal screening (double, triple and quadruple tests)
- Level 2 colour Doppler ultrasonography
- Gestational diabetes (GDM) screening and management
- Preeclampsia risk assessment and follow-up
- Follow-up of multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
- Monitoring of fetal growth restriction
- Management of Rh incompatibility and isoimmunisation
- Birth planning and preparation for birth
When Should You Seek Care?
In the following situations it is advisable to contact the Pregnancy Follow-up Unit, or to seek urgent assessment during an ongoing pregnancy:
- When your pregnancy test is positive, for the first examination, ideally at weeks 6-8
- So as not to miss the window for combined screening at weeks 11-14 (nuchal thickness + blood test)
Situations in which urgent assessment is advised:
- Vaginal bleeding or pink-brown spotting
- Severe abdominal pain or contractions
- A marked decrease in, or absence of, the baby's movements
- Sudden swelling of the hands, face or legs, severe headache or visual disturbance (signs of preeclampsia)
- Fever or suspected urinary tract infection
Diagnostic Methods
| Method | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| The basic tool for monitoring the pregnancy in every trimester. Nuchal translucency (NT) is measured in the first trimester and an anomaly scan is performed in the second trimester, while growth and development, the placenta and the amniotic fluid are assessed in every trimester. | |
| By measuring blood flow velocities in the umbilical and cerebral arteries, it allows fetal hypoxia and placental insufficiency to be detected at an early stage; it is used routinely in high-risk pregnancies and in pregnancies with growth restriction. | |
| Analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in the mother's blood screens for trisomy 21 (Down), trisomy 18 (Edwards) and trisomy 13 (Patau) syndromes with a sensitivity of close to 99 per cent. It is a screening test only; an invasive method is required for a definitive diagnosis. | |
| Fetal chromosome analysis is performed on amniotic fluid, usually between weeks 15 and 20; it is a method of definitive prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. | |
| An invasive prenatal diagnostic method that can be performed between weeks 10 and 13; it provides a definitive karyotype result in the early trimester. | |
| The risk of chromosomal anomalies is calculated using PAPP-A and free beta-hCG in the first trimester, and AFP, hCG, oestriol and inhibin A in the second trimester. | |
| GDM is diagnosed with a 50 g / 75 g glucose loading test between weeks 24 and 28. |
Treatment Approaches and Follow-up Protocol
| Approach | Scope and application |
|---|---|
| In an uncomplicated pregnancy, a check-up is planned every 4 weeks until week 28, every 2 weeks between weeks 28 and 36, and every week from week 36 until birth. In high-risk pregnancies these intervals are shortened. | |
| Folic acid (ideally started before pregnancy and continued throughout the first trimester), iron, vitamin D and iodine are standard supplements during pregnancy. Doses are determined according to individual assessment. | |
| In pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes, medical nutrition therapy and regular blood glucose monitoring are started first; if the target glycaemic control cannot be achieved, insulin treatment is planned. | |
| Low-dose aspirin is started in the early trimester for pregnant women at high risk of preeclampsia; blood pressure is monitored and antihypertensive treatment is arranged where necessary. If there is a risk of preterm birth, cervical length is measured and a cerclage is placed if required. | |
| If there is no medical contraindication, vaginal birth is supported. Placenta praevia, breech presentation, a previous caesarean scar, fetal distress or indications arising from the mother determine the decision for surgical birth (caesarean section). Birth preferences are discussed openly with every mother and a shared decision is made. |
Pregnancy follow-up, prenatal screening, genetic counselling and high-risk pregnancy management are provided comprehensively at the Academic Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics clinic.
Book an AppointmentPregnancy Follow-up at Academic Hospital
At Academic Hospital, pregnancy follow-up is carried out within the Gynecology and Obstetrics clinic. Monitoring from the first examination to birth planning is organised together with prenatal screening, ultrasonographic assessments and, where necessary, high-risk pregnancy protocols. The unit works routinely with the following departments:
- Gynecology and Obstetrics: the clinic in which pregnancy follow-up is carried out; birth and caesarean section
- Perinatology and High-Risk Pregnancies: joint monitoring of pregnancies identified as high risk and detailed fetal assessment
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases: joint management of gestational diabetes and insulin treatment
- Nutrition and Diet: planning of medical nutrition therapy in gestational diabetes
- Biochemistry: analysis of prenatal biochemical screening tests and the glucose loading test
- Neonatal Intensive Care: care of babies born preterm or needing close monitoring after birth
Frequently Asked Questions
References
The general information given on this page about pregnancy follow-up, prenatal screening and diagnostic methods, and follow-up protocols is supported by the reliable health sources listed below.
- World Health Organization, "Antenatal care recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience", who.int
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), "Prenatal Care", acog.org
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, "Antenatal Care Management Guideline (2026)", hsgm.saglik.gov.tr
The information on this page is for informational purposes only; it does not replace medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a healthcare institution regarding your complaints.
