Later antenatal appointments

Following on from the booking appointment your appointments are usually every four to six weeks until 34 weeks and then, every two weeks until the birth, although in some areas, and depending on your pregnancy, you may have more appointments.

This is what usually happens at these later antenatal appointments:

• You will have a chance to ask any questions and discuss any worries that you have
• Your blood pressure will be checked
• You will be asked to give a urine sample so that it can be checked for protein and sugar
• The midwife may offer you specific tests which may be advisable in your pregnancy and will discuss any previous results with you
• The midwife will probably ask if you have noticed any swelling in your ankles or fingers. Sudden swelling can be one of the signs of pre-eclampsia
• After 24 weeks, and sometimes earlier,the midwife will ask to feel your tummy to get an idea of how your baby is growing and, in the later stages (after about 36 weeks), which way it is lying
• You can request to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. This is much easier to hear from about 16 weeks

At approximately 28 weeks, you will be asked to give another blood sample. This will be tested to see if you are anaemic.It will also be tested for antibodies.

If you are in one of the at risk categories you will also be given a test for diabetes. For this test you may be asked to fast overnight have an early morning blood test then drink a glucose drink before another sample is taken. The blood is tested to find out how your body copes with this added load of sugar.

Where to next?

• Types of antenatal care
• Confirming your pregnancy
• The first antenatal appointment

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