First midwife appointment

[Kalie]

I was just wondering what happens during your first midwife appointment as the receptionist said it will be half an hour. I should be about 8 weeks by then but I have no other appointments for scans or things. I wish it was all made clearer for first time mums! Can my other half come along to the appointment too?

[mum2nearly4]

Congratulations, firstly yes your partner can go to all of your appointments.

During your first and every midwife/gp appointment you will have to do a urine sample, so they can check for protien, sugar etc. If you have diabeites in your family you may have to get a glucose intolernence test but at another time. You will have blood tests taken to see what blood group you are, and for other abnormalities that you could have. If your rhesis negative you will get a anti d injection when your 28 weeks and in some hospitals again at 32 weeks. If your baby is also rh negative at birth you will have another injection within 72 hours after birth. Also the midwife will ask you a series of questions about you and your partners family history.

At about 12 weeks you will have your first scan then at 20 weeks you will have your 2nd scan where you can in most hospitals best to ask first if you can or want to find out the sex of your baby.

When ever I have had a midwife appointment I usually forget what I want to ask, so I tend to write down questions b4 I go so I can ask when I am there. The midwife will give you details of your next appointment but after the first one it's usually to see how you are, how your blood pressure, urine and check how big your baby is getting by doing a fundal height measure which starts at the top of your uterus to your pelvic bone.

It seems a lot but it really isn't,

Good luck x

[well]

At your 1st appointment, your M/W will take a medical history from you to find out if you have, or have had any medical problems. She will ask when your last period was, if it was normal, and what your cycle usually is. She will take some blood tests to check your blood group, and to see if you are Rhesus negative or positive (this should make little difference in your 1st pregnancy, but if you are Rhesus negative you will be offered anti-D injections, and sorry to be pernickity, but you will only require an injection of anti-D post-natally if the baby is Rhesus postive). Blood tests will also be done to find out if you are anaemic, to test for antibodies to Rubella (German Measles) to find out if you are immune or not, and to find out if you currently have Syphillis as this can affect the baby, but can be treated with anti-biotics. You will also be tested for blood-borne viruses ie, HIV and Hepatitis, so treatment can be started if necessary and measures can be taken to protect the baby. You have to consent before any of these tests are done, and your M/W should explain why they are done.

Once that is all out of the way your M/W will give you possible due date, though this will be confirmed by your dating scan, and she will tell you what to expect from your care there on in.

Don't forget it is also your chance to ask questions too, have them written down so you don't forget what they are!

[Hidden]

Hi Kalie,

First of all, congratulations! A very exciting time!

Here is an article that explains what to expect in terms of your midwife appointments and your antenatal care going forward, including the first appointment: nct.org.uk/pregnancy/your-c...

Keep us all posted on how it goes.

All the best,

Alice x