Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy
MBBS · DGO · Diploma in ART — Kiel University, Germany
Founder & Medical Director — Mother Hospitals & IVF Center, Boduppal
TGMC Registration: 50624 · 19+ Years of Clinical Experience · 5000+ IVF Cycles
Trimester-by-trimester check-ups, ultrasound scans, blood tests, nutrition guidance, and birth planning — expert antenatal care by Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy. Boduppal, Hyderabad.
Systematic monitoring of mother and baby during pregnancy — to detect and manage complications early, and to support a safe and confident journey to delivery.
Good antenatal care is the single most important factor in ensuring a safe pregnancy and delivery. Regular check-ups, scans, and blood tests track both maternal and fetal wellbeing throughout pregnancy. Most complications — gestational diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, fetal growth restriction — can be managed effectively when detected early. Delayed or absent antenatal care significantly increases the risk of preventable complications.
At Mother Hospitals, you see Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy personally at every antenatal visit — not a different doctor each time. This continuity means she knows your history, notices subtle changes, and builds a relationship of trust. She provides clear explanations at every visit, is accessible via WhatsApp for between-appointment concerns, and creates a personalised monitoring schedule based on your individual risk profile.
Ideally before 10–12 weeks of pregnancy — the earlier the better. A first trimester booking visit allows dating, early blood tests, folic acid prescription, and chromosome screening at the optimal time. Women with previous pregnancy complications, medical conditions (thyroid disease, diabetes, hypertension), or who conceived through IVF should ideally be seen at 6–8 weeks.
Women with gestational diabetes, hypertension, previous C-section, twin pregnancies, IVF pregnancies, or other medical conditions require more frequent and specialised monitoring. Dr. Prashanthi provides this enhanced care — see our High-Risk Pregnancy page for full details.
The most critical period of fetal development — early booking ensures the right support is in place from the start.
Confirms intrauterine pregnancy, fetal heartbeat, and number of embryos. Accurately dates the pregnancy and calculates the expected due date (EDD). Essential to establish pregnancy is not ectopic (outside the uterus). Particularly important for IVF pregnancies where the transfer date may be known but early confirmation is still recommended.
The Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan measures the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby's neck. An increased NT is associated with higher risk of Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, and certain cardiac abnormalities. Combined with blood tests (PAPP-A and free beta-hCG) in the Combined First Trimester Screen, it generates an individual risk probability.
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) analyses fetal DNA in the maternal blood from 10 weeks. It has over 99% sensitivity for Down syndrome. Recommended for women over 35, those with elevated NT, those with a previous chromosomal pregnancy, or anyone wishing the most accurate available screen. Available at Mother Hospitals.
First trimester supplements: Folic acid 400mcg daily (minimum until 12 weeks — ideally started 3 months before conception). Iron if indicated. Vitamin D 1000 IU/day.
The anomaly scan and gestational diabetes screening are the two most important investigations of the second trimester.
The most detailed ultrasound of pregnancy — a systematic survey of fetal anatomy. Dr. Prashanthi assesses: the brain (ventricular size, cerebellum, posterior fossa), face and lip, 4-chamber heart view and outflow tracts, spine, abdominal wall, stomach, kidneys and bladder, limb bones, and placental position. Identifies major structural abnormalities in approximately 60–70% of cases and forms the basis for birth planning and specialist referral if needed.
All pregnant women are screened with a 75g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) at 24–28 weeks. High-risk women (PCOS, previous GDM, family history of Type 2 diabetes, BMI above 30, previous large baby) are screened earlier at the booking visit. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed if any one value is at or above: fasting ≥92 mg/dL, 1-hour ≥180 mg/dL, 2-hour ≥153 mg/dL. See our Gestational Diabetes page for full details.
The final stretch — focused on fetal growth, wellbeing, and birth planning.
Serial growth scans assess fetal weight estimation, amniotic fluid volume (liquor), and fetal wellbeing. Doppler studies (measuring blood flow in the umbilical artery and fetal vessels) are added if growth is a concern. A baby whose growth is slowing — or a large baby (macrosomia, common in gestational diabetes) — requires closer monitoring and early delivery planning.
A vaginal and rectal swab to screen for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage. GBS is a common bacterium that poses no risk to the mother but can cause serious infection in the newborn during labour. Women who test positive are given intravenous antibiotics during labour — this virtually eliminates the risk of neonatal GBS infection.
Non-Stress Test (NST), also called Cardiotocography (CTG), monitors fetal heart rate patterns over 20–30 minutes to assess fetal wellbeing. A reactive trace (appropriate accelerations in heart rate with fetal movements) is reassuring. CTG is performed more frequently from 36 weeks, and in high-risk pregnancies (gestational diabetes, hypertension, IUGR) may be done from 32–34 weeks.
MBBS · DGO · Diploma in ART — Kiel University, Germany
Founder & Medical Director — Mother Hospitals & IVF Center, Boduppal
TGMC Registration: 50624 · 19+ Years of Clinical Experience · 5000+ IVF Cycles
Common questions about antenatal check-ups, scans, blood tests, and pregnancy nutrition.
A routine uncomplicated pregnancy typically involves approximately 8–10 antenatal visits. In India, the recommended schedule is: booking visit (before 12 weeks), 16 weeks, 20 weeks (anomaly scan), 24 weeks (OGTT), 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks, and weekly from 39 weeks. High-risk pregnancies — including IVF pregnancies, twins, gestational diabetes, hypertension, or previous C-section — require more frequent visits, sometimes every 2–4 weeks from mid-pregnancy. Dr. Prashanthi creates a personalised visit schedule at the booking consultation.
Ideally before 10–12 weeks of pregnancy — the earlier the better. A first trimester booking visit allows for accurate pregnancy dating, early blood tests (including blood group, rubella immunity, and HIV), and prescription of folic acid and supplements in time for the most critical period of fetal organ development (weeks 6–10). If you have a history of previous pregnancy complications, thyroid disease, diabetes, hypertension, or other medical conditions — or if you conceived through IVF — booking at 6–8 weeks is recommended.
The anomaly scan (also called Level II or TIFFA scan) is a detailed ultrasound performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. It systematically examines fetal anatomy — the brain, face, heart (4-chamber view and outflow tracts), spine, abdomen, kidneys, limbs, and placental position. It can identify structural abnormalities in approximately 60–70% of cases where they exist. While it is not 100% accurate and cannot detect all chromosomal conditions or minor abnormalities, it is the most important routine scan in pregnancy and forms the basis of birth planning and any further specialist referral.
Initial booking bloods include: blood group and Rh factor (D), full blood count (FBC) for anaemia, rubella immunity, VDRL (syphilis screening), HIV test, hepatitis B surface antigen, and urine culture for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Second trimester: haemoglobin recheck at 24 weeks, OGTT at 24–28 weeks for gestational diabetes screening. Third trimester: haemoglobin, Group B Strep swab at 35–37 weeks, thyroid function if thyroid disease. Additional tests as clinically indicated — anti-phospholipid antibodies, clotting screen, TORCH panel for specific indications.
The Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan is an ultrasound performed between 11 and 14 weeks that measures the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal fold). An increased NT measurement is associated with higher risk of Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, and certain heart defects. The NT measurement is combined with maternal blood tests (PAPP-A and free beta-hCG) in the Combined First Trimester Screen to calculate an individual risk. If the combined risk is high, NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) or amniocentesis may be offered for confirmation.
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is a blood test taken from the mother from 10 weeks of pregnancy. It analyses fragments of fetal DNA in the maternal blood to screen for chromosomal conditions — primarily Down syndrome (T21), Edwards syndrome (T18), and Patau syndrome (T13). NIPT has a very high sensitivity (over 99% for Down syndrome) but is a screening test — not a diagnostic test. It is particularly recommended for women over 35, those with elevated NT on scan, those with a previous chromosomal pregnancy, and anyone who wishes a more accurate screen than the standard combined test. NIPT is available at Mother Hospitals.
A balanced, nutritious diet during pregnancy is essential for fetal development. Key principles: increase calorie intake by approximately 300 kcal/day in the second and third trimesters; ensure adequate protein (eggs, dairy, lentils, chicken, fish); calcium 1000mg/day; extra iron 30mg/day (leafy greens, jaggery, meat, legumes); omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish — limit to 2 portions/week); folate (leafy greens, lentils) in addition to folic acid supplements. Avoid: raw or undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurised dairy, high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel), alcohol, and excess caffeine (over 200mg/day — one small coffee). Dr. Prashanthi provides detailed, practical nutritional guidance at each antenatal visit.
In India, antenatal care is predominantly provided by obstetrician-gynaecologists rather than midwives. Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy (MBBS, DGO, 19+ years' experience) personally conducts all antenatal appointments at Mother Hospitals — you see the same doctor at every single visit. This continuity of care is particularly important: it builds trust, ensures your history is known in depth, and means that any subtle change in your pregnancy is noticed and acted upon promptly. This is especially valuable for women with high-risk pregnancies or complex histories who need a specialist obstetrician throughout.
Explore other specialist services at Mother Hospitals & IVF Center.
A healthy pregnancy starts with good antenatal care — and good antenatal care starts with booking early. Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy will guide you through every trimester with expertise, continuity, and compassion.
Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy · TGMC Reg: 50624