Are you wondering what to do when you find out that you are pregnant? Where to go and who to see for your first antenatal appointments? If you are like me and live in the UK, do you see your GP? When will your first midwife appointment be? When will you have your first scan? I have all of the answers below, including exactly what to expect when you first see your doctor.
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The Truth About Your First Doctor’s Appointment When You’re Pregnant
So you did a wee on a stick in your bathroom. Maybe 2 little lines appeared where there was previously only one. Maybe you went all out and bought a fancy digital test that now proudly displays the word “pregnant”. Either way, congratulations! This is fantastic news!
Still, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want some sort of official check, right? You don’t trust some pee covered stick to deliver the most important news of your life. No, you want a proper doctor with lots of qualifications and letters after their name to give you some sort of official certification of pregnancy. You couldn’t possibly accept the truth of such a monumental life event from just little old you who was trying not to get too much urine on your hands while aiming at a stick, right?
So you skip off down to the doctor’s office ready for the whole 9 yards of tests. You’re sure there’s be blood tests and scans and examinations, then after that, you’ll really know you’re pregnant and will be ready to behave accordingly. This seems sensible, as, after all, you haven’t had any symptoms yet. This could all be in your head. You may have imagined the whole thing. Yes, it’s definitely best to check.
So when you get to the surgery, you may be surprised when your appointment goes something like this.
“So what can I do for you today Miss?”
“Well, I think I might be pregnant”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, I pee-d on a stick and it came up positive”
“And when was your last menstrual period?”
“I don’t know exactly, probably around 4 weeks ago”
“Congratulations, you’re probably around 4 weeks pregnant. See the receptionist on the way out and book in to the see the midwife at 10 weeks”
“What? That’s it? You’re not going to check? What if the test was wrong, what if it’s all in my head? What if I’m CRAZY!?!”
“Pregnancy tests are pretty accurate these days. Good luck with your pregnancy”
Then, if you’re anything like me, you’ll leave in a bewildered trance, wondering if this is all some bizarre dream.
You’ll wonder how on earth you’re supposed to wait a whole 6 weeks, (aka forever) before even speaking to another medical health professional who may be able to shed some light on whether there is, in fact, a tiny human growing inside you or if you are actually the victim of some defective joke pregnancy test. After all, it can’t be that simple, can it?
And what are you supposed to do for the next 6 weeks? What if you eat something or wear something or go near something that could harm the baby that is supposed to be growing inside you? You are not ready for this kind of responsibility without a full set of instructions from someone that has been through a decade of medical training.
So you probably have a lot of questions, right?
This was exactly how my first doctors appointment went. Pretty much word for word. And, if you are anything like me, you will want to know a bit more about what will happen with your antenatal care over the coming weeks (and when exactly a qualified grown-up will confirm that you are really pregnant).
Well, more good news! I have some answers to your burning questions.
Read on to find out exactly what will happen in that first “real” antenatal appointment with the midwife, which tests you’ll have and exactly what to expect.
When will I have my first antenatal appointment with a midwife?
The first appointment with the midwife is called the “booking in” appointment and is held when you are around 10 weeks pregnant. Remember that the number of weeks is counted from your “last menstrual period” or LMP as opposed to the day where you did the deed and probably conceived your baby. Weird, I know, but that’s how they count it.
Where will the appointment be?
The appointment may be help at your home, the local hospital, your GP surgery or a local health centre. Speak to your GP surgery who will be ab;e to put you in touch with your midwife to organise this.
How long will the appointment last?
This appointment is pretty in-depth, so allow at least an hour out of your schedule.
Will I have a scan at this appointment?
Generally speaking, in the UK – no. I know that from watching American shows like Grey’s Anatomy (one of my favourite series of all time) we can have expectations of scans done by the same person that examines and takes care of you through your pregnancy with a sonogram machine in every room. Sadly, this is not generally the case here. Your midwife can request a scan for you, but this will be done in another location, generally the hospital, by a radiographer.
Which tests will I have?
Height and weight
This is taken to measure your body mass index (BMI) so that they can plot your growth through your pregnancy and notice any irregular patterns that may indicate a risk
Take your blood pressure
This “booking in” blood pressure measurement is used as a benchmark through pregnancy against which difference can be compared. An increase in blood pressure can indicate difficulties such as preeclampsia, but it is important to measure these increases against your own “normal” blood pressure.
Dip your wee
Your pregnancy test was just your first taste of weeing on things. At your first midwife appointment, you will be asked to provide another urine sample. No, it’s not to check that you’re “really pregnant”, it’s to check that there s no protein in your urine (a sign of kidney issues that can also indicate preeclampsia). From here on in, expect to be asked for a pot of your wee repeatedly. Make sure that you pick up a nice clean wee pot at the end of your appointment so that you have a suitable container to bring your sample in next time.
Blood Tests
Although my blood tests were never done at booking in, or by the midwife for that matter, they are done around this time. It varies from health board to health board exactly where and when they are done, but your midwife will give you the details when you book in the booking in appointment (usually on the phone).
What will my midwife ask me?
Your midwife will ask a number of questions to learn as much as they can about you, your partner and family history, in order to take the very best care of you and your baby to be.
They will probably ask about:
- where you live
- who you live with
- the baby’s father
- any other pregnancies or children that you have had
- your physical health
- your mental health
- any issues or treatment you’ve had
- family history regarding health issues
- if you smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs
Sensitive Questions
During your antenatal care, your midwife is required to ask you if you are at risk of or suffering from any form of domestic violence or abuse, or have been a victim of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Some midwives will skirt around the subject, with gentle questions like “is your partner supportive”, hoping that this will prompt you to speak up if there is a problem. Others will just come out with it.
Either way, for your sake, and that of your unborn baby, you have been suffering from or are at risk of any sort of abuse, please take this opportunity to speak up.
Which Information Will My Midwife Give Me?
Your midwife may offer you information about any of the following topics. If there is something that they do not cover or if there is anything you need to ask or do not understand, speak up. Your midwife is there for your care, both physically and emotionally, to help you through this exciting yet bewildering time.
Topics they may cover;
- how your baby will develop during your pregnancy
- a healthy pregnancy diet and foods to avoid during pregnancy
- safe pregnancy exercise and pelvic floor exercises
- your antenatal care under the NHS
- breastfeeding and how you plan to feed your baby
- antenatal classes in your area
- benefits you may be entitled to when you’re pregnant, such as free prescriptions and free dental care
- your options for where to have your baby in your area
- all of the tests and scans that you will be offered during your pregnancy
Don’t forget to ask questions if you want to know more or don’t understand anything.
When will my next appointment be?
Following your booking in appointment with your midwife, your next antenatal appointment will be your “Dating Scan”. This scan takes place when you are, to the best of your calculations, around 12 weeks pregnant. As the name suggests, the scan will measure your baby in order to “date” your pregnancy and give you an accurate Estimated Due Date (EDD) of your baby.
This scan will also check your baby’s heartbeat, check that the baby is in the correct place and confirm that there is just one little darling in there or if in fact you have been blessed with multiples. Yep, it can be a lot to take in.
Will I Always Have The Same Midwife?
In an ideal world, yes, you will be seen by the same midwife for most of your antenatal appointments. It helps to build a rapport and have someone that knows you and your pregnancy see you each time. In reality, however, midwifery is not a 9-5 job. Babies are born around the lock with no regard for schedules, so midwives work in shifts. If it is not your midwife’s time to be on shift, or if they are stuck at a home birth or called into the hospital because the wards have been bombarded with births, you may see another midwife from the same team.
Who Do I Call If I Am Worried?
Your own midwife will usually give out their own mobile number, which will be on while they are on shift. They should also give you a number for the team which will be answered around the clock by the allocated midwife on call. Save these numbers to your phone immediately. If you are concerned about anything, give them a call.
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