Antenatal care is provided predominately by Community Midwives based in a variety of community locations including, Children’s Centres and GP’s surgeries.
However, your care can be shared with any health professional you choose including GP’s and hospital based consultants. Referrals will also be made to consultants should any complications arise during your pregnancy.
You will be seen on a regular basis to make sure you are well and that your pregnancy is progressing normally. Below is a table giving an example of an antenatal appointment schedule for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. This can be individualised to meet each woman’s needs.
Antenatal appointment schedule
| MW = Midwife GP = General Practitioner OB = Obstetrician US = Scan department | ||
| Gestation | Reason | With |
| Before 12 Weeks | Booking: exchange of information, risk assessment, schedule of visits, blood screening. | MW |
| 11 to 14 weeks | Combined screening, consisting of Nuchal translucency scan and corresponding blood test. | US |
| 16 weeks | Results of screening tests, discussion re symptoms of pre-eclampsia, discussion re anti D prophylaxis if Rhesus negative. | MW/GP |
| 20 to 23 weeks | Detailed scan. | US |
| 25 weeks if 1st pregnancy | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured. | MW/GP |
| 28 weeks | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured, blood tests for anaemia, Anti D if Rhesus negative, pain relief leaflet given. | MW/GP |
| 31 weeks if 1st pregnancy | Blood pressure, Urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured, give results of tests. | MW/GP |
| 34 weeks | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured, breastfeeding information (leaflet) and antenatal checklist. | MW/GP |
| 36 weeks | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured, position of the baby, labour choices (place of birth, vitamin K etc) (US if low lying placenta). | MW/GP |
| 38 weeks | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured. | MW/GP |
| 40 weeks if 1st pregnancy | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured. | MW/GP |
| 41 weeks | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured, membrane sweep, induction of labour leaflet plan for induction of labour. | MW/GP |
| 42 weeks | Blood pressure, urine testing and your baby’s growth will be measured, CTG – which is a an electronic monitoring of you baby’s heart beat, ultrasound. | MW/US/OB |
Your midwife will discuss with you the number of times you will need to be seen during your pregnancy based on your healthcare needs and your wishes. When you have decided upon a schedule of visits you will need to book these appointments at your surgery or clinic. If, however you need a hospital appointment, your midwife will book this for you.
If you think you have missed an appointment or have concerns, please contact your midwife via your GP surgery or local maternity unit. You and your baby’s health will be checked at each contact.
Each appointment will have a specific purpose. Your first appointment should be fairly early in your pregnancy (before 12 weeks). Your Midwife or doctor will use it to identify your needs (such as whether you need extra care) and will ask you about your health and any other physical or mental illness you have had. This is so you can be referred for further assessment or care, if necessary.
They should also give you the opportunity to discuss (should you wish) experiences (such as domestic violence or sexual abuse) you may have had which may mean you could need extra support.