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The first appointment

Your GP will arrange for you to have your first antenatal appointment (often known as the ‘booking visit’), which usually takes place between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. Depending on the practice in your area, it could be at your home, at your GP’s surgery, or at your local hospital. You will be seen by a midwife and possibly also by a doctor.

Unless you have any ongoing problems, this first visit will probably be the most detailed you will have. This is what’s likely to happen:

  • You will be asked questions about yourself and your medical history, as well as about any family history of medical problems. You will also be asked about any previous pregnancies
  • Your blood pressure will be checked
  • You will be asked to give a blood sample. This will be tested to find out which blood group you are, whether you are Rhesus positive or negative and whether you are anaemic. It will also be checked to see if you are immune to rubella. In some areas, it is tested for certain infections too, such as hepatitis, toxoplasmosis and syphilis (a sexually transmitted disease)
  • You will be asked to give a urine sample. This will be tested to find out what your sugar levels are and whether you have any protein in your urine or any urinary infection. Sugar levels are monitored for signs of diabetes and protein is looked for because it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia
  • You may be weighed and your height measured
  • The midwife or doctor may ask to feel your tummy to assess the size of your womb
  • Your heart and lungs may be checked
  • The midwife may listen to your baby’s heartbeat, probably using a small ultrasound machine (called a Sonicaid or a Doppler), which she will rub over your tummy. To do this, she’ll need to spread some gel on your tummy first. It is often difficult to pick up the heartbeat at this stage, though, so don’t worry if it can’t be heard
  • You may be offered an ultrasound scan (a dating scan) to confirm when your baby is due
  • In some areas, you may be offered an HIV test

If anything is said or done at this appointment that you don’t understand, ask for it to be explained to you. Take time to ask any questions that you have, too.