Antenatal: what it means and what happens at your antenatal check-ups
In this article
Antenatal means before birth, and antenatal care is the care you get from doctors and nurses while you are pregnant. Prenatal means the same thing. KKH says a healthy woman can expect around 8 to 10 clinic visits over the whole pregnancy, with your blood pressure and urine checked every time, plus scans and blood tests at set weeks.
| Means | Before birth. Prenatal is the same word |
|---|---|
| Visits | Around 8 to 10 in a healthy pregnancy, KKH says |
| Every visit | Blood pressure and a urine test |
| At a polyclinic | Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, then every 2 weeks |
| MediSave | Up to $900 for care before delivery, CPF says |
What happens at an antenatal check-up
Most visits are short and look much the same. KKH takes your blood pressure and asks for a urine sample at every antenatal appointment, because those two checks pick up problems such as pre-eclampsia before you feel anything.
At the NHG polyclinics, HealthHub lists the routine parts as a pregnancy consultation, a urine test, your weight and blood pressure, and a check of your baby's heart rate once you are past 12 weeks. Bring your questions. This is the time to ask them.
Scans and tests by week at KKH
SingHealth sets out the usual KKH timetable. In weeks 8 to 12 you book your first visit, have a dating scan to estimate your due date, and give blood to screen for anaemia, thalassaemia, your blood group, antibodies and infections. Between weeks 11 and 14 you can choose an optional first trimester screen for Down syndrome; NIPT is another option.
Weeks 18 to 21 bring the fetal anomaly scan, which looks at your baby from head to toe. At 24 to 28 weeks a blood test screens for anaemia and gestational diabetes. A growth scan follows at 28 to 32 weeks, and a swab for Group B Streptococcus at 35 to 37 weeks. Our guide to prenatal check-ups and scans walks through each one by trimester.
Polyclinic, public hospital or private gynae
Many mums start at a polyclinic. HealthHub says the polyclinic sees you every four weeks while you are under 28 weeks and every two weeks after that. After 34 weeks, or earlier depending on your age and past pregnancies, you are transferred to the hospital. The polyclinic does your routine blood tests and refers you to the hospital for screening or diagnostic tests it does not offer.
If you prefer a private obstetrician at KKH, the hospital sells antenatal packages for private patients, which it says help you plan ahead.
What antenatal care costs and how MediSave helps
You can pay for check-ups with MediSave under the MediSave Maternity Package. CPF said in August 2026 that you can withdraw up to $900 for pre-delivery medical expenses, from your own or your spouse's MediSave. That covers consultations, ultrasound scans, tests and medicines.
If your check-ups were at a different clinic from the hospital where you deliver, CPF says you pass those bills to the delivery hospital. It submits them together with your delivery bill.
When not to wait for your next appointment
KKH asks you to come in straight away if your baby is moving less than usual, or you have vaginal bleeding, a fever, a severe headache, changes in your vision or tummy pain. At KKH that means the Delivery Suite on Level 2 of the Women's Tower from 22 weeks, or the Urgent O&G Centre in Basement 1 before 22 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between antenatal and prenatal?
There is none. Both mean before birth, so antenatal care and prenatal care are the same check-ups. KKH and HealthHub use the word antenatal.
How many antenatal visits will I have?
KKH says around 8 to 10 if you are healthy. The NHS offers at least 10 for a first baby and at least 7 if you have given birth before. You will be seen more often if your doctor needs to watch something.
Can I use MediSave for antenatal check-ups?
Yes. CPF says up to $900 of pre-delivery costs, such as consultations, scans, tests and medicines, can come from your or your spouse's MediSave.
When should I book my first antenatal check-up?
As soon as you think you are pregnant. KKH says to contact your doctor at the polyclinic, a family clinic or KKH to arrange it, and SingHealth puts the first visit and dating scan at weeks 8 to 12.
Related terms
- Trimester: One of the three stages of pregnancy, each about three months long.
- EDD (Estimated Due Date): The date your baby is expected: 40 weeks from the first day of your last period, checked by a dating scan.
- NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing): A blood test from the mother, from 10 weeks, that screens the baby for Down syndrome and trisomies 13 and 18.
- Gestational Diabetes: High blood sugar that starts in pregnancy. Singapore screens every mum-to-be with a glucose test at 24 to 28 weeks.
- Pre-eclampsia: High blood pressure in pregnancy, usually with protein in the urine, most often from 20 weeks.
- Polyclinic: A public primary care clinic with subsidised fees, where Singapore families can take children for jabs and checks.
- KKH - About your pregnancy (read 9 November 2026)
- SingHealth - Your pregnancy journey in KKH (read 9 November 2026)
- HealthHub (NHG Health) - Women's health services (read 9 November 2026)
- CPF Board - What you need to know about the MediSave Maternity Package (read 9 November 2026)
- NHS - Antenatal (pregnancy) care and appointments (read 9 November 2026)
