You will be offered a dating scan or combined screening for Down’s Syndrome at any time between:

• 11 weeks and two days – 14 weeks and one day

Being screened is your choice, so ask if there is anything you do not understand.

You will be offered a second scan to measure your baby’s growth and to check for structural abnormalities at any time between 18 - 20 weeks.

Being screened is your choice, so ask if there is anything you do not understand.

You may be asked to come in to the hospital for antenatal screening tests for:

• Haemoglobin (iron levels)

• Atypical red cell allo-antibodies

• Glucose Tolerance test  

Sometimes these tests are taken in the community.

Your midwife will discuss with you:

• The findings of your routine anomaly scan           

• Iron supplements, if required

• Your baby’s movements 

• Place of birth

• You will be asked to have your blood pressure taken and for your urine to be tested  

• The midwife will ask to measure the symphysis-fundal height (the top of your pregnancy bump to your pubic bone) This will be plotted onto your customised growth chart that is generated when you have your early dating scan and will give guidance as to how well your baby is growing

• Anti-D prophylaxis will be offered to RhD negative women at 29 weeks. You will receive a hospital appointment for this together with an information leaflet

Your midwife will discuss with you:       

• The results of blood tests taken at 27-28 weeks, if required         

• Iron supplements, if required

• Your baby’s movements

• Place of birth

• You will be asked to have your blood pressure taken and for your urine to be tested

• The midwife will ask to measure the symphysis-fundal height

Your midwife will discuss with you:

• The results of blood tests taken at 27-28 weeks, if required

• Iron supplements, if required  

• Your baby’s movements  

• Place of birth  

• You will be asked to have your blood pressure taken and for your urine to be tested  

• The midwife will ask to measure the symphysis-fundal height

Your midwife will discuss with you:

• The options if your pregnancy goes beyond your due date

• Your baby’s movements  

• You will be asked to have your blood pressure taken and for your urine to be tested  

• The midwife will ask to measure the symphysis-fundal height  

• The midwife will ask to feel for the position your baby is lying and you may be referred for a scan if breech presentation is suspected

Your midwife will discuss with you:

• The options if your pregnancy goes beyond your due date  

• Your baby’s movements  

• You will be asked to have your blood pressure taken and for your urine to be tested  

• Your midwife will ask to measure the symphysis-fundal height

• You may be offered a membrane sweep at this time 

A membrane sweep - Involves you having a vaginal examination and your midwife or an obstetrician placing a finger inside your cervix and by making a circular movement gently sweeping the membranes away from the cervix. This procedure can be done either in your own home or in hospital. It aims to stimulate the natural production of prostaglandins which might speed up the opening of the cervix and in time trigger active labour.

A membrane sweep may be offered to you:

This involves you having a vaginal examination and your midwife or an obstetrician placing a finger inside your cervix and by making a circular movement gently sweeping the membranes away from the cervix. This procedure can be done either in your own home or in hospital. It aims to stimulate the natural production of prostaglandins which might speed up the opening of the cervix and in time trigger active labour.