Error: Not a valid value. Your first antenatal care appointment is an important one. During your visit, your GP or midwife will confirm your pregnancy, assess your health and give you some information that you will need in the months ahead. You will also be able to discuss who you choose to provide your ongoing pregnancy care. Your first appointment may be with a midwife, your GP or at a clinic or hospital — you can choose.
During the visit, your doctor or midwife will take a detailed medical history and family history as part of assessing your overall health. They will also want to know if you have any current health problems and if you are allergic to any medicines.
Your doctor or midwife will ask you if you smoke , drink alcohol or take recreational drugs. They will also ask if you are stressed, have any signs of depression or anxiety and about the support you could receive from people at home and at work. Finding out about the health of your family is also important because it could affect you or your baby. This includes any family history of twins , genetic disorders, or chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
You may wish to do screening tests for being a carrier of other genetic conditions. Discuss this with your doctor or midwife. Your doctor or midwife will check your blood pressure, weight and height. You will also be offered a blood test to check your blood group and whether you have anaemia , any infectious diseases or sexually transmitted infections STIs , as well as checking whether you have rubella immunity. Find out more here about the check-ups, tests and scans you will have during your antenatal visits.
Your doctor or midwife will calculate how many weeks you have been pregnant and the due date of your baby. This is an ultrasound that will help determine which week of pregnancy you are in. They will also offer a test to see if your baby is at high risk of having Down syndrome or other abnormalities. Other tests may be suggested such as an amniocentesis , or chorionic villus sampling CVS if you are over 35 years old or have a higher than normal risk of problems.
During this first appointment, your GP or midwife will give you information and discuss which model of care you would like to have for your antenatal appointments and the birth. You'll be able to discuss:. Your midwife or GP will give you information during this appointment to help you keep healthy and ensure you have good support and care. You'll have a number of antenatal appointments during your pregnancy, and you'll see a midwife or sometimes an obstetrician doctor specialising in pregnancy.
They'll check the health of you and your baby, give you useful information and answer any questions. If you're pregnant with your first baby, you'll have more appointments than those already with children.
If you're well, it's really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby. If you're pregnant, hospitals and clinics are making sure it's safe for you to go to appointments. They will advise you what to do. This is so you can find out about all your options and make an informed decision if your baby has a chance of inheriting these conditions.
It's best to see your midwife or doctor as early as possible to get the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy. Some tests, such as screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia, should be done before you're 10 weeks pregnant. This appointment is an opportunity to tell your midwife or doctor if you're in a vulnerable situation or if you need extra support. This could be because of domestic abuse or violence, sexual abuse or female genital mutilation FGM.
FGM can cause problems during labour and childbirth, which can be life threatening for you and your baby. So, feel free to ask about specific ultrasound timing and details when you call to schedule your initial visit.
You have many choices when it comes to who you should see for prenatal care. Depending on your health and preferences, you can pick an OB-GYN for your pregnancy , you can choose a certified nurse midwife for pregnancy care , or you may be able to see your primary care doctor. If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, some clinics may encourage you to see as many different people as possible throughout your pregnancy, including OB-GYNs, certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners.
At many clinics, you also have the option to see the same person for every visit. This is an important question to ask during your first visit. In some clinics, the same person you see during your prenatal visits will also be the one delivering your baby. Each situation has its own advantages. To help care givers understand your birth wishes, concerns and preferences, you could also write a birth plan using a template. Your top priority is keeping you and your baby healthy.
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