What to expect when you see us
We usually like to see you for your first appointment at 10 weeks gestation. However it is sometimes preferable to see you as soon as you are aware you are pregnant. Low risk women who have seen their midwife may be seen in the second trimester.
Routine antenatal appointments with your midwife and specialists are approximately monthly from booking to 28 weeks, then approximately fortnightly until 36 weeks. It is helpful to have a 37 week appointment with your midwife to check you are prepared for your labour and birth and postnatal period. You are usually then seen weekly until delivery. Shore Birth will see you more frequently if it is deemed necessary due to pregnancy complications.
At your first appointment, extra time may be needed for our practice midwife to document all your medical and obstetric history. This also ensures you have had all the relevant blood tests and early scans required. Your next appointment at Shore Birth will be with our practice midwife and a specialist. At each visit you will be required to test a sample of your urine and have your blood pressure level recorded. Following this the specialist will assess the well-being of both you and your baby/s.
An anatomy scan is arranged at 19-20 weeks.
Further blood tests including screening for pregnancy diabetes are done at 27 and 35 weeks gestation.
Between 32 and 37 weeks gestation the specialist will review a care plan for your labour and birth. This will cover details such as your preferred options for pain relief, information surrounding Cord Banking, prevention of excess bleeding, your preferred disposal method of the placenta following birth, Vitamin K for your baby and other decisions.
You are more than welcome to bring along a support person for your appointments and if you wish a chaperone can be provided.
