What Care during Pregnancy Will I Have?

Booking Appointment 7-10 weeks

What is discussed?

• Programme of care and contact phone numbers for your midwife and hospital.
• Your medical and family history

• You will be given copies of ‘Ready, Steady, Baby’ and ‘Off to a Good Start‘
• Your midwife will discuss where you want to have your baby
• Any concerns you may have

What will you be offered?

• Information and discussion about Down’s Syndrome/Spina Bifida screening
• A scan date to confirm your estimated due date
• Blood tests for blood group, antibodies, full blood count, iron levels, HIV test, Hepatitis B, Syphilis. You may be offered screening for diabetes if your midwife feels you are at risk of developing diabetes.
• Flu/Whooping Cough/Covid 19 Vaccine
• Urine test
• Alcohol assessment
• Carbon monoxide testing and advice if you smoke.
• Recording of your blood pressure

What information will you be offered?

• Whooping cough leaflet
• Healthy Start information on vitamins and food vouchers

• Flu immunisation information (This is given seasonally between October and March)
• Healthy diet, Vitamin D and Folic Acid
• Carbon monoxide monitoring / smoking
• Dental exemption form FW8

11-13 weeks Scan

• Screening for Down’s Syndrome and Spina bifida will be offered

15-16 weeks

•  Results from your booking scan and blood tests will be discussed
• If your blood type is rhesus negative, Anti D will be discussed
• You will be invited to Parent Education Sessions
• You will be offered a 20 week detailed scan
• Your baby’s movements and the importance of seeking advice if concerned will be discussed with you. More information can be found on Reduce the Risk of Stillbirth – Maternity Services and My Baby’s Movements – Birth in Grampian.

• Health Visiting leaflet
• Your options and preferences about feeding your baby will be discussed

20 week detailed baby development scan

You will be offered a detailed scan to check your baby’s development. This looks for signs that the baby is not developing as expected but some health conditions may not be picked up by the scan.

22-25 weeks

• Your will be offered a discussion about contraception and a leaflet that explains your options
• You will be given a MAT B1 form about maternity leave for your employer

• You will be offered an application form for your Baby Box
• Building a happy baby leaflet

28 weeks

• Blood tests will be offered
• If your blood type is rhesus negative. You will be given information and a leaflet about what this means and your options.
• Whopping cough immunisation discussed

31-32 weeks

• Your health visitor will contact you to introduce herself and give you some information about this service
• You will be offered information about contraception and your options
• You will be offered information about your options for feeding your baby and the booklet Off to a good start (This discussion may happen at the next appointment).

32/34 weeks

• If you are taking iron tablets, repeat blood tests will be done
• You will be offered information about your choices for labour, birth and care after birth
• You will be offered information about your options for feeding your baby

34-36 weeks

• Blood tests might be offered, if recommended
• You will be given the Newborn Screening Tests leaflet.

37-38 weeks

• You will be offered to review your choices for labour, birth and care after birth. You will be given information about signs of labour and when to contact your midwife or phone the hospital
• You will be offered information about your choices if your baby is overdue

39-40 weeks

• You will be offered further discussion about your options if your baby is overdue

41weeks

• You will be offered a discussion about your options: continue with your pregnancy with or without monitoring, induction of labour or planned caesarean birth
• More helpful information could be found on Induction of Labour – Maternity Services and Induction of labour leaflet