Get Your Diary Out: Antenatal Appointment Dates You'll Need to Know

For our Natural Baby Show, we've teamed up with a variety of experts and healthcare professionals to help give parents the latest advice and guidance on all things from pregnancy to parenthood. In this blog, hear from senior midwife, founder of Let's Talk Birth & Baby and The Honest Midwife, Louise Broadbridge, all the appointments and check-ups expecting parents will need to add to their diaries during pregnancy.

Picture this: You’re staring at your pregnancy test as the positive result appears. Once the initial excitement settles, you might wonder, "What's next?" Get ready to mark your calendars, ladies!

So, you’ve had a positive pregnancy test – NOW WHAT?

You can expect to attend several appointments over the next few weeks. However, after the initial excitement, it might feel a bit quiet until you reach about 10 weeks pregnant. To help you keep track of the important milestones during your pregnancy, here’s a breakdown of key dates you should note in your maternity care schedule:

First Trimester (Weeks 1-13): Establishing Care

Initial Contact with GP or Midwife:

• Notify your GP or midwife about your pregnancy. Start taking folic acid supplements to prevent birth defects like spina bifida.

• FREE Early Pregnancy Workshop: Finding out you are pregnant can be an exciting but daunting time, and you may have a fair few weeks before you see a midwife or doctor. This workshop will help you feel prepared and give you all the information you need in the first few weeks. SIGN UP FOR FREE HERE.

Antenatal Appointments Between Weeks 8 and 12:

• Booking Appointment: Lasting about an hour, this involves a detailed discussion with your midwife about your medical history, nutritional guidance, exercise recommendations, and birth preferences.

• Medical Checks: Includes blood pressure, blood tests for blood group, Rhesus factor, antibodies, and screenings for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis. Your height, weight, BMI, and urine will also be checked.

Second Trimester (Weeks 14-26): Monitoring Growth and Health

Antenatal Appointment at 13 Weeks:

• Your dating scan will be scheduled for before the end of your 13th week. This scan not only confirms your due date but also screens for chromosomal abnormalities like Down's Syndrome.

Antenatal Appointment at 16 Weeks:

• Any blood tests you had previously will be reviewed, check blood pressure, urine, and pulse, and you’ll receive details about your next scan.

Antenatal Appointments Between 18 and 20 Weeks:

• Anomaly Scan: A comprehensive ultrasound to ensure your baby’s internal organs, bones, heart, spinal cord, and brain are developing correctly. You can also find out your baby’s sex during this scan if you wish.

Antenatal Appointment at 25 Weeks:

• First-time parents will have an additional appointment to monitor overall health, including blood pressure, pulse, urine, and emotional well-being.

• If you haven’t already your midwife should advise you of any antenatal education that is available. However, you can always arrange this yourself and join me on my 5 star rated antenatal and postnatal classes loved by thousands of expectant parents.

Third Trimester (Weeks 27- 40): Preparing for Delivery

Antenatal Appointment at 28 Weeks:

• Everyone receives a blood test at 28 weeks to check iron levels, as anaemia is common during pregnancy. Your bump will also be measured to monitor your baby's growth.

Antenatal Appointment at 31 Weeks:

• If this is your first baby you will be offered this additional appointment to review blood test results and monitor health indicators.

Antenatal Appointment at 34 Weeks:

• A check-up to monitor blood pressure and screen for protein in urine, which are signs of preeclampsia.

Antenatal Appointment at 36 Weeks:

• A more extended appointment to discuss birth plans, pain relief options, feeding preferences, coping strategies for labour, and receive information on breastfeeding, newborn care, vitamin K injections, and the newborn screening program.

• Although you are nearly there it is not too late to sign up to a Let’s Talk Birth and Baby FREE antenatal class which will cover all you need to know about natural labour and birth.

Antenatal Appointment at 38 Weeks:

• Discuss options if you go beyond your due date, with routine monitoring of blood pressure, urine, and pulse.

Antenatal Appointment at 40 Weeks:

• As your due date approaches, you’ll receive detailed information about your choices regarding induction and possibly a membrane sweep to encourage labour naturally.

Antenatal Appointments at 41 and 42 Weeks:

• Continued checks of blood pressure, urine, pulse, and bump measurements, with discussions about induction if necessary. If you have chosen not to be induced you will have the usual observational checks at this appointment and may also be offered a CTG (CARDIOTOCOGRAPH) just to keep an eye on the baby's wellbeing whilst we are waiting on them to make their appearance.

Stay Informed and Prepared

Throughout your pregnancy, these appointments are crucial for monitoring your health and ensuring a safe delivery. Each visit offers an opportunity to discuss any concerns, receive guidance, and prepare for the arrival of your little one. Don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for more information or support—it's all part of their commitment to your well-being.

By following this schedule and staying informed, you’re taking proactive steps to support a healthy pregnancy journey. Remember, your healthcare team is there to support you every step of the way.

Louise is just one of the experts we've teamed up with for our Natural Baby Show, take a look here to discover how you can access more guidance and advice as well as great savings and giveaways. You can also sign up to be the first to hear about all exclusive our offers. 

Shop our pregnancy collection for all your pregnancy essentials.