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Women's Health4 min read

Antenatal Care: Your Pregnancy Journey at NeoHealth

Dr Claudia Lakay24 March 2026Updated 10 April 2026

Starting Your Pregnancy Journey

Finding out you are pregnant is a life-changing moment, and quality antenatal care from early in your pregnancy is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy outcome for both mother and baby. At NeoHealth, Dr Lakay provides comprehensive pregnancy care tailored to each patient's needs.

Your First Visit

Your first antenatal visit should ideally be booked before 10 weeks of gestation. This initial consultation includes:

  • Confirming the pregnancy
  • Estimating your due date
  • Baseline blood tests (blood group, Rhesus factor, HIV, syphilis, full blood count)
  • Discussion of medical history and risk factors

Trimester-by-Trimester Care

First Trimester

An early ultrasound scan confirms viability and dates.

Second Trimester

  • Detailed anatomy scan at around 20 weeks
  • Glucose tolerance testing for gestational diabetes (24–28 weeks)
  • Ongoing monitoring of blood pressure and urine

Third Trimester

More frequent visits to monitor fetal growth, position, and maternal wellbeing as delivery approaches.

Nutrition During Pregnancy

  • Folic acid — begin before conception if possible, continue through first trimester to prevent neural tube defects
  • Iron, calcium, and vitamin D — important throughout pregnancy
  • Dr Lakay will guide you on appropriate supplementation and dietary choices

Danger Signs to Watch For

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Severe headaches with visual disturbances
  • Sudden swelling of the face or hands
  • Reduced fetal movement
  • Abdominal pain

Pertussis Vaccination

The maternal pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect your newborn in the first weeks of life. Contact NeoHealth today to begin your pregnancy journey with expert, compassionate care.

About the Author

Dr Claudia Lakay

Dispensing General Practitioner & Co-founder

Stellenbosch graduate. Trained in the rural Eastern Cape before practising in East London. One of the few female GPs in George offering dedicated women's health — pap smears, IUD insertion, hormonal c...

MBChB (Stellenbosch University)

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