{"id":505,"date":"2025-07-01T17:07:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T16:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/what-maternity-care-will-i-have\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T08:56:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:56:20","slug":"what-maternity-care-will-i-have","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/what-maternity-care-will-i-have\/","title":{"rendered":"What Care during Pregnancy Will I Have?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/nurse.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/nurse.jpg\" alt=\"Nurse smiling and holding casenotes\" class=\"wp-image-947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/nurse.jpg 700w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/nurse-300x262.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/nurse.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-947\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/nurse-300x262.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your midwife will guide you through every step of your pregnancy.\u00a0Extra\u00a0appointments will be provided if you need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This page explains the care you will be offered by your midwife during your pregnancy. If you have a health condition or develop medical complications during pregnancy, you may be offered more appointments or be referred to an obstetrician (specialist doctor). At every appointment your midwife will ask about your health and wellbeing and will check how your baby is growing and developing. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ee36ae20\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-25afd700 gb-headline-text\">Who will be involved in my care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-db9d8137 gb-headline-text\">Find out about some of the types of&nbsp;staff you may have contact with during your pregnancy and childbirth and after your baby is born<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/who-will-be-involved-in-my-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Members of staff<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-26c354b6\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-684a33e4 gb-headline-text\">What tests will I have?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-70c7415c gb-headline-text\">Information about screening tests in pregnancy<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/screening\/pregnancy\/pregnancy-screening\">Tests during pregnancy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center supplementary is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Booking Appointment 7-10 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is discussed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Programme of care and contact phone numbers for&nbsp;your midwife and hospital.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your medical and family history<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You will be given\u00a0copies of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/ready-steady-baby-including-translations\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"531\">&#8216;Ready, Steady, Baby&#8217;<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0&#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.publichealthscotland.scot\/publications\/off-to-a-good-start-all-you-need-to-know-about-breastfeeding\/\">Off to a Good Start<\/a>&#8216;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your midwife will discuss\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/where-do-i-want-to-give-birth\/\">where you want to have your baby<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any concerns you may have<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&nbsp;will you be offered?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Information and discussion about Down&#8217;s Syndrome\/Spina Bifida screening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A scan date to confirm your estimated due date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flu\/Whooping Cough\/Covid 19 Vaccine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urine test<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alcohol assessment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbon monoxide testing and advice if you smoke.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recording of your blood pressure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What information will you be offered?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whooping cough leaflet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/feedingyourbaby\/you-and-your-babys-health\/vitamins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Healthy Start<\/a>\u00a0information on vitamins and food vouchers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flu immunisation information (This is given seasonally between October and March)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/diet-weight-and-exercise\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"497\">Healthy diet<\/a>, Vitamin D and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/folic-acid\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"496\">Folic Acid<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbon monoxide monitoring \/ smoking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dental exemption form FW8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11-13 weeks Scan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Screening for Down&#8217;s Syndrome and Spina bifida will be offered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">15-16 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Results from your booking scan and blood tests will be discussed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your blood type is rhesus negative, <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/05\/preventing-rhesus-disease-in-your-baby.pdf\">Anti D will be discussed<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be invited to Parent Education Sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be offered a 20 week&nbsp;detailed scan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your baby\u2019s movements and the importance of seeking advice if concerned will be discussed with you. More information can be found on <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/reduce-the-risk-of-stillbirth\/\">Reduce the Risk of Stillbirth \u2013 Maternity Services<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birthingrampian.scot.nhs.uk\/my-babys-movements-2\/\">My Baby\u2019s Movements \u2013 Birth in Grampian<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Health Visiting leaflet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your options and preferences about feeding your baby will be discussed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">20 week detailed baby development scan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will be offered a detailed scan to check your baby\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">22-25 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your will be offered a discussion about contraception and a leaflet that explains your options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be given&nbsp;a MAT B1 form about maternity leave for your employer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You will be offered an application form for&nbsp;your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.parentclub.scot\/baby-box\">Baby Box<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/feedingyourbaby\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2022\/07\/Building-a-Happy-Baby.pdf\">a happy baby leaflet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">28 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blood tests will be offered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your blood type is rhesus negative. You will be given information and a leaflet about what this means and your options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whopping cough immunisation discussed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">31-32 week<strong>s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your health visitor will contact you to introduce herself and give you some information about this service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be offered information about contraception and your options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be offered information about your options for feeding your baby and the booklet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.publichealthscotland.scot\/publications\/off-to-a-good-start-all-you-need-to-know-about-breastfeeding\/\">Off to a good start<\/a> (This discussion may happen at the next appointment).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">32\/34 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you are taking iron tablets, repeat blood tests will be done<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be offered information about your choices for labour, birth and care after birth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be offered information about your options for feeding your baby<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">34-36 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blood tests might be offered, if recommended<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be given the <a href=\"https:\/\/publichealthscotland.scot\/media\/32614\/your-baby-test-offered-in-english_april-2025.pdf\">Newborn Screening Tests leaflet<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">37-38 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You will be offered information about your choices if your baby is overdue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">39-40 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You will be offered further discussion about your options if your baby is overdue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">41weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You will be offered a discussion about your options: continue with your pregnancy with or without monitoring, induction of labour or planned caesarean birth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More helpful information could be found on <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/\">Induction of Labour \u2013 Maternity Services<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/09\/Induction-of-labour-patient-information-2021-june.pdf\" data-type=\"attachment\" data-id=\"1227\">Induction of labour leaflet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your midwife will guide you through every step of your pregnancy.&nbsp;Extra&nbsp;appointments will be provided if you need them. This page explains the care you will be offered by your midwife during your pregnancy. If you have a health condition or develop medical complications during pregnancy, you may be offered more appointments or be referred to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/widewidth.php","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-505","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"Your midwife will guide you through every step of your pregnancy.&nbsp;Extra&nbsp;appointments will be provided if you need them. This page explains the care you will be offered by your midwife during your pregnancy. If you have a health condition or develop medical complications during pregnancy, you may be offered more appointments or be referred to","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=505"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4709,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/505\/revisions\/4709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}