Antenatal care and schedule of appointments

The hormonal changes to your body, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy can make you feel nauseous, sore, and emotional.  During pregnancy, ligaments become softer and stretch to prepare you for birth, and this can cause strain on your back and pelvis and cause back ache.  You may become easily tired and feel low, so it is important to ensure that you take good care of your emotional as well as physical well-being during pregnancy. If you have any concerns regarding this, please seek advice from a health professional.

• You should receive your All Wales Maternity Records from your community midwife
• When you receive your All Wales Maternity Records we would be grateful if you could fill out certain parts ready for your midwife appointment.  These include: pages 1,2,3,4,5,6,9,11,12,13,16,37, and 38. If you require assistance to complete these pages please wait for your appointment and a member of the team will be happy to help.
• Your All Wales Maternity Records should be kept with you at all times and should always be brought to appointments so that we are able to document your care.
• We ask that you bring a urine sample and notes to your appointment.
• If you have a medical condition / problem unrelated to your pregnancy you should continue to visit your GP as normal.

• Your booking appointment is your initial appointment with your midwife. You will receive information about the support that you may require during your pregnancy journey. This appointment also helps us identify women who may require additional care during their pregnancy. During the appointment, your midwife will offer to check your blood pressure, take a urine sample and calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and discuss an appropriate plan of care which is individualised to you.  You will also receive screening information which will help you to make decisions that are appropriate for you.
   
• At around 12 weeks into your pregnancy, a dating scan will be offered and undertaken.
   
• At your 16 week appointment your midwife will discuss, review and record the results of any screening tests undertaken. We will offer to measure your blood pressure, test urine and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns.
   
• Between 18 and 20 weeks an ultrasound will be offered to detect any structural abnormalities.
   
• If this is your first pregnancy you will be offered an antenatal check with your midwife at around 25 weeks.
   
• At 28 weeks you will be offered an antenatal check in addition to a screening test for anaemia and to check your blood group and antibody status.
   
• If this is your first pregnancy at 31 weeks your midwife will offer to measure your blood pressure, test urine and measure symphysis-fundal height. You will be given the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns you might have.
   
• At 34 weeks your midwife will offer to measure your blood pressure, test urine and measure symphysis-fundal height. You will be able to discuss the results from the tests taken at 28 weeks.
   
• At 36 weeks your midwife will offer to measure your blood pressure, test urine and measure symphysis – fundal height. Your midwife will also check the position of the baby and if the baby is in the breech presentation you may be offered an external cephalic version (ECV). Your midwife will also support and discuss an individualised birth plan.
   
• At 38 weeks your midwife will offer to measure your blood pressure, test urine and measure symphysis – fundal height.
   
• At 40 weeks your midwife will offer to measure your blood pressure, test urine and measure symphysis – fundal height.
   
• At 41 weeks your midwife will offer an antenatal check, membrane sweep and discuss induction of labour.