Pregnancy Health Records: What to Track

Pregnancy is one of the most medically documented times in a person's life. From the first positive test to the final postpartum checkup, you will encounter a constant stream of blood tests, ultrasound images, genetic screenings, and visit summaries.

Staying on top of your pregnancy health records is not just about organization—it’s about ensuring the safety and continuity of care for both you and your baby. In a multi-provider setting, where you might see midwives, obstetricians, and sonographers, you are often the most reliable "bridge" for your own medical data.

In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what records you need to keep and how to build a folder that will serve you throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Key Pregnancy Health Records

When you are tracking your prenatal journey, certain documents form the "core" of your history. You should ensure you have a copy of:

• Initial Prenatal Labs: Including your blood type, Rh factor, and baseline screening for infections.
• Ultrasound Reports: Not just the images, but the written medical reports detailing growth and anatomy.
• Genetic Screening Results: Such as NIPT or first-trimester screening data.
• Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT): The results of your screening for gestational diabetes.
• Vaccination Records: Specifically documenting any flu, Tdap, or COVID shots received during pregnancy.
• Visit Summaries: A brief note from each checkup documenting your blood pressure and fetal heart rate.

Having these records organized allows any provider—even an emergency room doctor if you travel—to understand your pregnancy history in seconds.

First Trimester Records: Setting the Baseline

The first three months are focused on establishing a healthy foundation. During this stage, your pregnancy health records should include your dating ultrasound (which sets your "due date") and your initial large blood panel.

This baseline assessment is vital because it establishes what is "normal for you" before the significant physiological changes of later pregnancy take hold. If your blood pressure or iron levels shift later on, these first-trimester records provide the context for how much they have changed.

Ongoing Prenatal Tracking

Between the "big" tests, you will have regular prenatal checkups. While these visits are often brief, they generate a consistent stream of vital data points.

At each visit, your care team will typically check:

• Blood Pressure: To monitor for early signs of preeclampsia.
• Weight: To ensure healthy growth patterns.
• Fundal Height: Measuring the growth of the uterus (after week 20).
• Fetal Heart Rate: Usually measured with a handheld Doppler.

While the clinic will record these, keeping a simple log of these numbers in your own pregnancy health records ensures you can spot trends yourself. A slow, steady rise in blood pressure, for example, is much easier to see when looking at your own timeline.

Second Trimester: The Anatomy and Growth Phase

The second trimester is often marked by the Anatomy Scan (usually around 20 weeks). This is perhaps the most detailed ultrasound of the pregnancy. You should ensure you have the full written report of this scan, as it documents the development of every major organ system.

This is also the time when most patients undergo the Glucose Tolerance Test to screen for gestational diabetes. Even if you pass, keeping the specific numerical result is helpful for future pregnancies, as gestational risk can change over time.

Third Trimester: Preparing for the Finish Line

As you move into the final months, your records shift toward delivery preparation.

• Group B Strep (GBS) Test: Knowing your GBS status is critical for your labor team, as it determines if you need antibiotics during delivery.
• Growth Ultrasounds: If your doctor has concerns about the baby's size or position.
• Birth Plan: A concise document outlining your preferences for pain management, interventions, and immediate newborn care.

We also recommend completing any hospital pre-registration paperwork in advance and keeping a copy in your pregnancy folder.

Creating Your Pregnancy Folder

The best way to manage this data is to use a dedicated physical or digital folder organized chronologically. We recommend a simple medical history summary as the cover sheet, followed by sections for labs, ultrasounds, and visit notes.

If you are struggling with a mountain of paperwork, see our guide on how to organize scattered lab results for practical tips on digitizing your history.

Your Birth History for Future Pregnancies

Your pregnancy health records don't lose their value once the baby is born. In fact, your delivery summary is one of the most important documents for any future pregnancies you may have.

Be sure to request a "Delivery Summary" or "Discharge Note" that includes:

• The length and type of labor.
• Any complications (like heavy bleeding or tearing).
• The specific medications or anesthesia used.
• Your postpartum recovery notes.

For your next pregnancy, this document will be the first thing your new midwife or doctor wants to see.

After Birth: Starting the Baby’s Records

As you transition out of prenatal care, you will begin a new folder for your newborn. Their initial pregnancy health records (from the baby's perspective) will include:

• Birth weight, length, and Apgar scores.
• Newborn metabolic screening results (the "heel prick" test).
• Initial hearing and vision screenings.
• Their first vaccination records (Hepatitis B, etc.).

By staying organized from day one, you are giving your child the gift of a complete and accessible health history.

FAQ

Do I really need to keep every single pregnancy record?

You don't need every appointment reminder, but you should keep all test results, ultrasound reports, and the final delivery summary. These are the "legal and medical" markers of your pregnancy that may be needed for future medical decisions.

What records do I absolutely need to bring to the hospital for delivery?

Most clinics will send your records to the hospital ahead of time, but you should always bring a backup. Carry your ID, insurance card, birth plan, and a summary of your latest labs (especially your blood type and GBS status).

Should I track fetal movement every day?

For most healthy pregnancies, formal "kick counts" aren't required unless your doctor specifically recommends them. However, being generally aware of your baby's patterns is a good habit. If you notice a significant decrease in movement, contact your care team immediately.

What should I do if I change doctors during my pregnancy?

Request a full "transfer of records" from your old provider. Don't rely on them to "fax it eventually." Getting a digital or physical copy yourself and handing it to your new provider at the first visit is the only way to ensure nothing is missed in your prenatal history.