Antenatal appointments are your chance to check on you and your baby and to ask questions, so it helps to know what’s coming and to arrive with a few of your own. Here’s a plain-English walk-through of the usual pattern. Exact timings vary between areas and pregnancies, so your midwife’s plan is the one to follow.
Who you’ll see
Most routine care is led by a community midwife, with a GP and, if needed, an obstetrician involved too. You’ll usually see the same small team over time. The NHS page on meeting your antenatal team explains who does what.
The booking appointment (around 8 to 10 weeks)
This is the longest one. Your midwife asks about your health, history and family, offers blood tests and screening, and talks through the care you’ll be offered. It’s a good time to ask about your birth options and about vaccines later in pregnancy.
Scans
- Dating scan (around 10 to 14 weeks): confirms your due date and checks how many babies there are.
- Anomaly scan (around 18 to 21 weeks): a detailed look at your baby’s development.
You’ll be offered screening tests alongside these, and you can ask your midwife to explain what each one can and can’t tell you before you decide.
Routine check-ups
Later appointments are shorter. They commonly include checking your blood pressure, testing your urine, measuring your bump, listening to your baby’s heartbeat and asking how you’re feeling. Your midwife will also ask about your baby’s movements once you’re feeling them. These appointments are also where your questions belong, however small.
Vaccines in pregnancy
Some vaccines are offered during pregnancy to protect you and your baby. Which ones, and when, can change over time, so your midwife and the NHS pages are the best source. Ask at your booking appointment, so you know what’s coming.
Making the most of each appointment
- Keep a note on your phone of questions as they come to you.
- Take your maternity notes with you, and bring your birth partner if you’d like them there.
- Ask your midwife to explain anything you don’t understand, as many times as you need.
- Tell them if something doesn’t feel right, even if you’re not sure it matters.
When to get help
Don’t wait for your next appointment if you have vaginal bleeding, severe or worsening tummy pain, a severe headache or sudden swelling, or your baby is moving less than usual. Contact your midwife or maternity unit the same day, or call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Read more
Our free guide to the first 12 weeks covers what happens earliest. In our classes, Meg helps you understand what your care team is telling you, and what questions to ask.
Baby Steps GP provides antenatal education. This guide is general information, not medical advice, and doesn’t replace advice from your midwife, GP or maternity unit.