How do you get an appointment with a midwife?

When you find out you are pregnant you will need to speak to your GP surgery to inform them so that they can advise you when and where you will see a midwife. It is important to do this early because certain tests are offered in the first three months of pregnancy and arrangements also need to be made for your first ultrasound scan which is usually carried out at around 12 weeks.

Is a midwife the same as a nurse?

A midwife is not the same as a nurse. Midwives will have qualified with a degree in midwifery and have specialist training to look after you and your baby whilst you are pregnant, during labour, and also in the first month following the birth of your baby. Some midwives may have also trained as nurses, however this is a separate degree.

What happens at your first midwife appointment?

Your first appointment with a midwife is often referred to as your “booking appointment”. This usually happens when you are around 8 weeks pregnant and takes about an hour. Some women attend on their own, but you are allowed to bring a partner or friend if you would like to. A lot of this appointment involves the midwife asking you a range of questions, including questions about your health both prior and since becoming pregnant.  She will also ask you questions about your lifestyle including work and home situation. This is important because midwives have a responsibility to assess whether you or your baby may need extra support or if you are at risk in any way. Your height and weight will be taken to calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index). You will usually see a midwife in a clinic room at a GP surgery, or occasionally a children’s centre or hospital. Midwives also visit you in your home in the few days following the birth of your baby.

Why do midwives check your urine and blood pressure?

At your first appointment (and all subsequent appointments) you will be asked to provide a urine sample when you see your midwife and this will be “dipped” to check that there is nothing abnormal showing in it, such as signs of infection or proteins. Your blood pressure will also be checked at all appointments to ensure that you are not suffering from pre-eclampsia (a dangerous condition in later pregnancy which can be detected if you have very high blood pressure and protein in your urine).

What blood tests do you have at your booking appointment?

You will be asked to consent to some blood tests at your first appointment with a midwife. These tests usually include a full blood count, to see if all of your levels are within normal ranges and a check of which blood group you are (this is especially important to see if you are rhesus negative, which may affect future pregnancies.) Your blood will be tested to see if you have any antibodies of concern, or if you are positive for HIV, hepatitis B or syphilis. All of these tests are carried out to ensure that the best care is provided for both you and your baby so that management or treatment can be put in place for you if any of the tests come back showing any concerns. Your blood is also tested to see if you are immune to Rubella (German Measles) because this can put your baby at risk if you catch it whilst pregnant.

What advice does the midwife give you at your first appointment?

Your midwife will speak to you about the importance of nutrition and diet in pregnancy, and about how your baby is developing. She will explain what tests and scans you will be offered at each stage of the pregnancy and talk to you about where you would like to have your baby. The importance of supplements such as folic acid and Vitamin D will be discussed, and your midwife will be able to advise you on benefits such as free dental care and prescriptions. There will be an opportunity to attend antenatal classes when you are more heavily pregnant and your midwife will be able to give you details of these.

How do you work out your due date?

Heath care professionals work out your due date from the date of your last period which is technically classed as week one of your pregnancy. The average pregnancy lasts 40 weeks from your last menstrual period (LMP), so the EDD (estimated due date) is logged as 280 days after your period started, although only a small percentage of babies arrive on their due date. Midwives and doctors have a gestation calculator wheel which makes this calculation quick and efficient.

How often do you see a midwife in pregnancy?

Following your booking appointment, in the UK you will see a midwife around 10 times for your first pregnancy. The next appointment will be when you are 14-16 weeks, then you can book again at weeks 25, 28, 31, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 41 (if you have not had the baby by then. For second and subsequent pregnancies you get less appointments. If you have any complications or your midwife feels you may need to be seen more often (for example if you are expecting twins or you have a medical condition) then you may also be referred to an obstetrician for regular checks.

How often do you get scans in pregnancy?

In the UK, if there are no complications you will be offered two ultrasound scans at around 12 weeks and 20 weeks.

What happens if you don’t like your midwife?

In the UK, midwives work in a team and often rotate between different clinics so you may not see the same midwife at all of your appointments. However, if you feel strongly that you do not want to see a particular midwife then you can ask to be seen by someone else. You do not have to give reason if you don’t wish to.