Your week by week timeline

Your midwife will discuss with you:

• Supplementation with folic acid. 400 micrograms (mcg) each day is recommended until you are 12 weeks pregnant. This is very important for the development of a healthy foetus, as it can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida

• Lifestyle, exercise, stopping smoking, alcohol and drugs

• Nutrition and diet, including 10mcg Vitamin D supplement to help the growth of your baby’s bone and brain development

• Your medical and personal history

• Your personal pathway of care

• Any additional care you may need

• Travel

• Place of birth options

• Your occupation and maternity benefits

• Early ultrasound scan to determine when your baby is due

• Antenatal screening tests, including combined screening for Down’s syndrome

• Arrangements for blood tests

• Chlamydia screening

• The health and benefits of breastfeeding

• The national booklets ‘Screening tests for you and your baby’  and ‘Off to the best start’

• Ask to take your; height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and a urine test for protein

• A test you can take to measure carbon monoxide levels – women who smoke have higher levels and will be offered smoking cessation referral

• Your booking meeting will also decide if you are recommended for midwifery-led care or Obstetrician led-care. If information gathered at this meeting suggests that your pregnancy is ‘low risk’ for complications, you will be cared for by the team of midwives. If we find anything in your medical or previous pregnancy history then your midwife will refer you to an Obstetrician.

• If at any point during your pregnancy either you or baby develops a problem then you will be referred to an Obstetrician

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.

A midwife will discuss with you:

• Your care plan
• An appointment with one of the Obstetric consultants to discuss plans and wishes.