What are the recommended prenatal care and management guidelines for a pregnant individual at 17 weeks gestation?

Prenatal Care at 17 Weeks Gestation

At 17 weeks gestation, you should ensure comprehensive prenatal screening is complete, initiate or continue folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg daily), verify immunization status, screen for gestational diabetes risk factors, and schedule anatomic ultrasound for 18-20 weeks. 1, 2

Essential Components at This Visit

Laboratory Screening (if not already completed)

• Complete blood count to screen for iron deficiency anemia, which increases risks of preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and perinatal depression 1, 2
• Blood type and Rh status determination - if RhD-negative, plan for Rho(D) immune globulin administration at 28 weeks to prevent alloimmunization 1, 2
• Screening for sexually transmitted infections (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, hepatitis B) as these impact pregnancy outcomes 1, 3
• Rubella and varicella immunity testing - if non-immune, plan postpartum vaccination 1, 3
• Urinalysis and urine culture to screen for asymptomatic bacteriuria, which increases preterm delivery risk 1, 2

Genetic Screening and Aneuploidy Testing

• Offer aneuploidy screening (if not completed in first trimester) using quad screen at 15-20 weeks, discussing risks and benefits with all patients 2
• Assess genetic risk based on family history, ethnic background, and maternal/paternal age (≥35 years increases risk of aneuploidy, birth defects, gestational diabetes, hypertension, miscarriage, and stillbirth) 3, 1
• Offer cystic fibrosis carrier screening and other ancestry-based genetic testing as indicated 3, 1

Nutritional Assessment and Supplementation

• Verify folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg daily) is being taken to reduce neural tube defect risk 1, 2, 3
• Assess body mass index - BMI >25 kg/m² increases risks of gestational diabetes, hypertension, miscarriage, and stillbirth 1
• Screen for nutritional deficiencies including iron status, and treat iron deficiency anemia if present 1, 2
• Counsel on safe food preparation and avoidance of TORCH infections 3

Risk Assessment and Preventive Interventions

High-Risk Screening

• Screen for preeclampsia risk factors including chronic hypertension, prior preeclampsia, diabetes, renal disease, autoimmune disease, or multifetal gestation 1, 4
• If high-risk for preeclampsia, initiate low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily) by 16 weeks (ideally started at 12 weeks) to reduce preeclampsia risk 1, 4, 3
• Screen for gestational diabetes risk factors - if high-risk (obesity, prior gestational diabetes, family history, high-risk ethnicity), perform early glucose testing now rather than waiting until 24-28 weeks 1, 2

Preterm Birth Prevention

• Assess history of prior spontaneous preterm birth - if present in singleton pregnancy, recommend 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C) 250 mg intramuscularly weekly starting at 16-20 weeks until 36 weeks 3
• Do not use vaginal progesterone as alternative to 17OHP-C for prior preterm birth prevention, as multiple RCTs show 17OHP-C is superior 3

Immunizations

• Verify influenza vaccination status and administer if not yet received this season 1, 2, 3
• Plan for Tdap vaccination at 27-36 weeks (ideally 27-32 weeks for optimal antibody transfer) 1, 2
• Ensure COVID-19 vaccination is up to date as recommended for all pregnant patients 1

Psychosocial Screening

• Screen for depression and anxiety using validated tools, as mental health issues require timely specialist referral 3, 1, 5
• Screen for intimate partner violence universally, as this impacts pregnancy outcomes 1
• Assess for substance use including tobacco, alcohol, and drugs using CAGE or T-ACE questionnaires 3, 1
• Screen for food insecurity as social determinants of health significantly impact outcomes 1

Medication Review

• Review all prescription and over-the-counter medications for teratogenic potential 3
• Discontinue ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins if still being taken 3
• Counsel on safe medication use during pregnancy 3, 5

Upcoming Milestones

• Schedule anatomic ultrasound at 18-20 weeks for fetal anatomy assessment and detection of structural abnormalities 2
• Plan for gestational diabetes screening at 24-28 weeks using 1-hour glucose challenge test or 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test 1, 2
• Schedule group B streptococcus screening at 36-37 weeks 1, 2

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not delay aspirin initiation beyond 16 weeks in high-risk patients, as efficacy decreases with later initiation 1, 4
• Do not substitute vaginal progesterone for 17OHP-C in patients with prior spontaneous preterm birth, as evidence supports 17OHP-C superiority 3
• Do not miss early gestational diabetes screening in high-risk patients by waiting until 24-28 weeks 1, 2
• Do not overlook periodontal disease screening, as treatment decreases preterm delivery risk 1