Antenatal appointments are an important part of your pregnancy journey and will shape your medical care for you and your baby. However, it is understandable to feel worried about what to expect, if you have never experienced an antenatal appointment before.
Antenatal appointments usually take place with a midwife, although sometimes you may see an obstetrician, and are crucial to monitoring your health, and the progression of your pregnancy. Your antenatal appointments also give you a chance to discuss any health concerns with your healthcare provider and keep an eye on the health of your baby.
If you are a first-time mum it is normal to feel a little unsure of what to expect at these appointments. This is why we have put together this helpful guide about what to expect from your antenatal appointments. In this article, we will help you to prepare for your antenatal appointments so you know what to expect, from typical procedures and tests to when to expect your first ultrasound.
Initial Appointment
Once you have informed your general practitioner of your pregnancy your first antenatal appointment will be scheduled within your first 8-12 weeks of pregnancy.
You will likely have your appointment with the community midwife and you can expect to be asked a lot of questions about your health and family history. The purpose of the initial appointment is to get a picture of your general health, lifestyle, and any other relevant information such as previous pregnancies.
The first appointment will also include a physical examination which will include checking your blood pressure and weight. You will be advised on taking prenatal vitamins and asked about your diet and exercise habits. You may also be asked whether you currently smoke and how much alcohol you drink and whether you have any long-term health conditions. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy or questions the initial appointment is the perfect opportunity to ask your midwife.
It is important to create a good relationship with your community midwife as they will be overseeing you and your pregnancy until you go into labour. They will also visit you at home once the baby is born and will be able to support you through the first year of your baby’s life.
Screenings and routine tests
During your antenatal appointments, you may also be asked to complete medical screening tests to check the health of you and your baby. This may include blood tests or submitting urine samples to check for anemia, urine infections, and genetic conditions.
Within the first 10 weeks of your pregnancy, you should be offered a thalassaemia screening test and some women will also be offered to screen for sickle cell disease. These screenings involve a blood test and are routine screenings to check for blood disorders. There is more information about what these tests involve on the NHS website, and your options should your results return positive.
At 16 weeks you will also be offered the whooping cough vaccine which you can receive up until 32 weeks of pregnancy. You will also be offered screenings for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis as your pregnancy progresses.
Ongoing Check-ups:
Following your initial appointment you will have regular check-ups with your midwife team throughout your pregnancy. These check-up appointments will usually occur every 4-6 weeks and may get more frequent as your due date approaches.
These appointments will monitor how your baby is growing and your maternal health during your pregnancy. Your midwife will regularly check your blood pressure, take measurements of your bump, and will ask for urine samples at each appointment.
Your appointments are a great time to bond with your midwife and ask any questions you may have about pregnancy, don’t worry if you feel your question is too silly to ask, as no doubt your midwife will have heard it all before.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy you may see your midwife more often or be monitored by an obstetrician alongside your antenatal appointments. This is usually a precaution to monitor your baby’s development and your midwife will explain if you need additional care.
Ultrasound Scans
Antenatal appointments: the ultimate guide
During your pregnancy, you will also be asked to attend ultrasound scan appointments. This is usually carried out at a hospital and involves a jelly-like cream being placed on your abdomen so that an ultrasound can be taken of your baby.
You can expect to have your first ultrasound scan between 11-14 weeks known as the ‘dating scan’. This scan will determine when your due date is and will check the physical development of your baby.
You can expect your next ultrasound scan to take place between 18 to 21 weeks. This scan, referred to as the ‘20 week scan’, will check your baby’s development and scan for any physical health conditions. During the scan, the sonographer will take lots of measurements of your baby and you can find out the gender of your baby, should you wish to.
You are not usually permitted to take any photos or videos during your ultrasound scans, however, your sonographer can print a copy of your ultrasound out for you to keep.
Preparing for the birth
As your pregnancy progresses closer to your due date you will begin to discuss your plans for the birth with your midwife. Your midwife will discuss what options are available to you that will result in the safe delivery of your baby. You will also be able to voice any concerns you may have or discuss any preferences you have for the birth.
You will also be invited to attend NHS antenatal classes which will help prepare you for birth and how to care for your baby once they are born.
Final advice on antenatal appointments
Antenatal appointments are a crucial part of your care while you are pregnant and will provide you with valuable information on how to take care of yourself during pregnancy. It is important to attend all your appointments, from the initial appointment which will establish your pre-pregnancy health to ongoing appointments that help to monitor the development and well-being of your baby.
Antenatal appointments are designed to ensure the safety of both you and your baby and to ensure any health concerns are picked up early. However, they are also an opportunity for you to ask questions, and to seek advice and support during your pregnancy. The journey through pregnancy can be challenging and difficult for a lot of women so make the most of the support from your midwife team, who will be more than happy to help and guide you on your journey to motherhood.