Why do you have antenatal medical check-ups?
It is important to know that every pregnant woman has the right to antenatal medical check-ups through the NHS. In addition, employers are obliged to release their working pregnant employees for appointments without loss of earnings.
There are many benefits to monitoring an expectant mother and her unborn child in the womb. Antenatal medical check-ups can identify high-risk pregnancies at an early stage which can then be closely monitored in the preceding months.
Check-ups during pregnancy at a glance
Initial Appointment: As soon as you receive a positive result, you should contact your doctor who will arrange for you to have an initial consultation with your local midwife (in some cases this may also be with your GP). At this appointment, you will be asked for various details including your family history in case of any hereditary illnesses and bloods for screening. You may be offered further tests for downs, edwards' and patua's syndrome. Your midwife will also give you further information on diet and nutrition during pregnancy and any supplementary vitamins you might benefit in taking.
12 Week Scan: Your next appointment will be your 12 week scan when you will go to the hospital and see your baby moving for the first time. The ultrasound scan gives you an estimated date of when your baby is due and is also an opportunity to check on the physical development of the baby and their weight.
16 Weeks: At this appointment you will be made aware of any results from your 12 week scan.
20 Week Scan: Your next appointment will be your 20 week scan which will be very similar to your 12 week scan. The physical development and weight of the baby is assessed again to ensure that everything is on track. You can also find out the sex of your baby at this appointment to find out if you are having a boy or a girl.
25 Weeks: Your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
28 Weeks: This will be very similar to your 25 week check-up. Your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
34 Weeks: Your midwife will give you further advice on preparing for labour and the birth. Further checks will be done as previously - your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
36 Weeks: Your midwife will continue to give you further advice on the birth and how to care for you and your newborn baby. Further checks will be done as previously - your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
38 Weeks: Your midwife will discuss the birth options available to you and what happens if you go to 41 weeks. Further checks will be done as previously - your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
40 Weeks: Checks will be done as previously - your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
41 Weeks: If baby has still not arrived, you will be offered a membrane sweep and options will be discussed with you. Checks will be done as previously - your midwife will measure the size of your uterus, take your blood pressure and take a urine test to check for proteins.
42 Weeks: If your baby has still not arrived, you will be offered induction and increased monitoring of your baby.
You can get further advice about pregnancy on the NHS website.
