Congratulations- You’ve just found out you’re pregnant! You’ve decided which maternity unit you want to provide your care? Now you want to know what appointments to expect during your pregnancy. You’ll have a number of antenatal appointments during your pregnancy, and you’ll see a midwife or sometimes an obstetrician (depending on which pathway you are booked on based upon past medical history).

NOTE: All pregnant women have the right to paid time off work for antenatal care. This is the law.

Between 8 to 12 weeks (Ideally before 9 weeks): Booking Appointment

This appointment is where you are booked into the maternity system. This appointment is an opportunity to tell your midwife or doctor if you’re in a vulnerable situation or if you need extra support. It usually lasts 1 hour to 1 hr 30 mins.

The midwife should give you information about:

• how the baby develops during pregnancy
• nutrition and diet
• exercise and pelvic floor exercises
• antenatal screening tests
• your antenatal care pathway
• breastfeeding, including workshops
• antenatal education
• maternity benefits
• your options for where to have your baby

At this appointment the Midwife will ask various questions about your medical history/ partners medical history and both families history. This is to determine what level of care you need to receive. 

You’ll also get asked lots of personal questions but this is the best opportunity to be as honest as you can as the more information we get the more we can help and make sure you receive the right care and support.

Nuchal Scan (11 to 14 weeks)

A nuchal translucency screening, or NT screening, is a specialised routine ultrasound performed at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. It helps doctors determine if a baby is statistically more likely to have a chromosomal abnormality.

NT focuses on a small, clear space at the back of a growing baby’s neck called the nuchal fold. Experts have found that this spot tends to accumulate fluid in babies with chromosomal abnormalities.

16 weeks pregnant 

Your midwife or doctor will give you information about the ultrasound scan you’ll be offered at 18 to 20 weeks.

They’ll also help with any concerns or questions you have.

Your midwife or doctor should:

• review, discuss and record the results of any screening tests
• measure your blood pressure and test your urine for protein
• consider an iron supplement if you’re anaemic

Anomaly Scan (20 weeks pregnant)

You’ll be offered an ultrasound scan to check the physical development of your baby. This is also known as the Anomaly Scan. 

Screening for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B will be offered again by a specialist midwife to women who opted not to have it earlier in pregnancy.

These tests are recommended as they greatly reduce the risk of passing infection from mother to baby.

At Precious Delivery we offer affordable private midwifery consultations. Sometimes pregnancy can be complicated… book a consultation today to discuss any pregnancy concerns with our UK Registered Senior Midwife