What appointments you need if you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, when you need blood tests & when you get scans
YOU'VE just found out you're pregnant.
It can be an incredibly overwhelming time - one full of joy, excitement and a bit of anxiety.
But if you're worrying about how to know what appointments to make and when during your pregnancy, Fabulous Parenting Club is here to help.
First contact
The first thing you need to do, after processing your pregnancy news, is to make contact with a GP or a midwife.
This is extremely important as they can give you information about what supplements to take, what foods you should steer clear of and your upcoming antenatal screening tests.
It's also a good opportunity to ask questions, if there's anything you've been worrying about.
Read more Parenting stories
In addition, your doctor or midwife will ask you about any previous pregnancies, any diseases in your family, if you're a genetic carrier for any conditions and if you're being treated for any long-term conditions - such as diabetes.
You will also be given your first blood test - to screen for certain diseases - such as sickle cell and thalassaemia.
It's also recommended that screening blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis should happen as early as possible in pregnancy, so you may be asked about these then.
Blood pressure and urine will also be checked at this appointment, and at all future antenatal appointments.
Most read in Fabulous
Booking appointment
This should happen between eight and 12 weeks of pregnancy, and is usually done by a midwife.
The midwife will go through your health history in great detail, and will give you more information about your baby's development, your antenatal care and maternity benefits.
They will identify any possible risks during your pregnancy, plan your care during your pregnancy and see if you need any extra support.
Your height and weight will be measured, and you'll be given information about maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy.
They will also be able to assess if you're at higher risk of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.
Your urine will be tested to check for any signs of gestational diabetes - and this will be the first of many urine tests you will have to have checked.
The booking appointment is also a good chance to talk about any mental health fears you might have during pregnancy.
Your midwife will assess your mental health and, in some regions, there are assigned mental health midwives on hand to help you in your pregnancy.
Dating scan
This will happen between 8 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, and you will be given your baby's due date.
It will also check your baby's development and screen for certain conditions if you have approved that - including Down's Syndrome.
20-week scan
This scan again checks the physical development of your baby - in more detail than the dating scan.
You will also be offered the chance to be screened for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B if you opted not to have it earlier in your pregnancy.
If you have no issues, then this is the last scan you will have in your pregnancy, unless you pay to have one privately.
If midwives are concerned that your baby is too big or too small, you are likely to be offered multiple growth scans to keep an eye on the baby's development.
25-week appointment
At this appointment, your midwife will use a tape measure to measure the size of your uterus.
They will also check your blood pressure and urine.
28-week appointment
As the 28-week appointment, but your midwife will also offer more screening tests at this point, and offer your first anti-D treatment if you are rhesus negative.
They will also suggest you take an iron supplement if you are showing signs of anaemia.
31-week appointment
This appointment will see the midwife measure you and check your blood pressure and urine.
They will also go through any screening results they have obtained since your last appointment.
34-week appointment
As well as the usual measurements and tests - which you'll be well used to by now - the midwife will use this appointment to go through your birth plan with you.
They will give you information about preparing for labour and giving birth, including how to recognise active labour, and ways of coping with pain in labour.
They may also discuss the chances of having a caesarean section - why one might be offered, what the procedure involves, the risks and benefits, and what implications it may have on future pregnancies and births.
36-week appointment
As well as the usual measurements, you will be given information about breastfeeding, caring for your baby, vitamin K and screening tests for your baby, postnatal depression and your own health after pregnancy.
The midwife will also check the position of your baby, and offer you an ECV (external cephalic version) if it is in the breech position.
38-week appointment
As well as the usual measurements and tests, your midwife will use this appointment to discuss with you what would happen if your pregnancy went beyond 41 weeks.
40-week appointment
The same as the 38 week appointment, except you may be given more information about what to expect if you're overdue.
41-week appointment
If you still haven't given birth by 41 weeks, you will be offered a "stretch and sweep" to try and bring on labour.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
You will also be given other options and choices for the potential induction of labour.
Read More on The Sun
42-week appointment
If you haven't had your baby by 42 weeks, and have opted not to have an induction, you will be offered increased monitoring of your baby.
