After that first confirmed positive pregnancy test at the doctor's office, most expectant moms exit the building holding a bag full of literature, prenatal vitamins and coupons for baby products. But there's something else that should be included in that bag of goodies – a doctor's office visit primer to help explain how often checkups will occur throughout the pregnancy and what exactly all those blood and urine tests are for.

The news that a brand-new baby will be coming along in nine or so months is overwhelming to most moms, and it may take them a while to realize how many regular checkups, ultrasounds and possibly genetic tests will soon follow. It can be confusing to keep all the appointments straight, and sometimes patients forget to ask why all blood pressure checks, urine tests and lab work are necessary. Knowing why these tests are an important part of prenatal care and figuring out how to fit the appointments into a mom's already busy schedule is an important checklist any expectant mom should have handy.

For a normal, healthy pregnancy, you can expect to report for regular checkups once a month up until about your 28th week of pregnancy. Then you'll go every two weeks until about your 36th week, when you'll report once a week until you go into labor. Most women typically deliver between 38 and 40 weeks of pregnancy.

At that first prenatal visit, doctors sit down with new mothers and take an extensive health history. This helps them determine what, if any, potential pregnancy risks might occur further along in the pregnancy, says Dr. Nancy Jackson, a clinical associate professor at the NYU College of Nursing.

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