Antenatal Appointments Timeline

• how your baby develops during pregnancy
• nutrition and diet
• exercise and pelvic floor exercises
• antenatal screening tests
• your antenatal care
• breastfeeding
• antenatal education
• maternity benefits
• the options available for where to birth your baby

• give you your handheld notes and plan of care
• plan with you the care you’ll be offered throughout your pregnancy
• identify any potential risks associated with any work you may do
• measure your height and weight, and calculate your body mass index
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• find out whether you’re at increased risk of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
• offer you screening tests and make sure you understand what’s involved before you decide to have any of them
• offer you an ultrasound scan at 11 to 14 weeks to estimate when your baby is due
• offer you an ultrasound scan at 18 to 21 weeks to check the physical development of your baby and look for 11 rare conditions
• ask if you require any support with your mental health
• ask about any past or present severe mental illness

• The purpose of the ultrasound scan and the types of possible conditions the scan is capable of identifying.

• an ultrasound scan to estimate when your baby is due, check the physical development of your baby, and screen for possible conditions, including Down’s syndrome.

• The ultrasound scan you’ll be offered at 18 to 21 weeks. They’ll also help with any concerns or questions you have.

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

• The whooping cough vaccine. The best time to have this vaccine is after your scan, up to 32 weeks.

If for any reason you miss the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into labour.

• you’ll be offered an ultrasound scan to check the physical development of your baby. This is also known as the 20-week scan.
• screening for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B will be offered again by a specialist midwife if you opted not to have it earlier in pregnancy.

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

• If this is your first baby you will be offered an appointment at 25 weeks. However if this is not your first baby and you would like to see your midwife or doctor to discuss any concerns or ask any questions, just let them know.

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• talk about your baby’s movements. If you have any concerns or your baby is moving less than usual, you’ll be advised to contact maternity services straight away.

• How to prepare for your labour and birth
• Active labour
• What happens after your birth, including how to care for your new baby and feed them

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• offer more screening tests
• offer your first anti-D treatment if you’re rhesus negative
• tell you about about the vitamin K injection your baby is recommended to have
• ask about your baby’s movements

• You will be offered an appointment at 31 weeks if this is your first baby. Any screening tests from the last appointment, a opportunity discuss, review and record your results

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• ask about your baby’s movements

• preparing for labour and birth, including how to recognise active labour, pain management in labour, and your birth plan.
• Caesarean birth This discussion may take place at the 34-week appointment, or at another time during your pregnancy. They’ll discuss with you the reasons why a caesarean might be offered, what the procedure involves, the risks and benefits, and the implications for future pregnancies and births.

• review, discuss and record the results of any screening tests from the last appointment
• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• offer your second anti-D treatment if you’re rhesus negative
• ask about your baby’s movements

• breastfeeding
• caring for your newborn baby
• vitamin K and screening tests for your newborn baby
• your own health after your baby is born
• the hormonal changes after birth and postnatal depression

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• check the position of your baby
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• offer external cephalic version (ECV) if your baby is in the breech position
• ask about your baby’s movements

External cephalic version (ECV) – When a healthcare professional, such as an obstetrician, tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on your abdomen. It’s a safe procedure, although it can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable.

• Your options and choices about what happens if your pregnancy lasts longer than 41 weeks.

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• continue to discuss your labour and birth options with you
• ask about your baby’s movements

• You will be offered an appointment at 40 weeks if this is your first baby.
• What happens if your pregnancy lasts longer than 41 weeks, and your options.

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• ask about your baby’s movements

• If you have not had your baby by 42 weeks and have chosen not to have an induction, you will be offered increased monitoring of the baby.

• your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus
• measure your blood pressure and test your wee for protein
• offer a membrane sweep
• discuss your options and choices for induction of labour
• ask about your baby’s movements