Your Antenatal Appointments Explained

Antenatal appointments are the cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. They are designed to monitor your baby's growth, support your physical and emotional wellbeing, and identify any potential complications early. At Obstetric Care, we understand that each pregnancy is unique - whether it's your first or you’ve been through it before - and I tailor your antenatal schedule to your individual needs.

In this guide, we'll walk you through what to expect from your antenatal appointments, when they happen, what's covered at each stage, and how we can support you every step of the way.

Antenatal Appts

Why Antenatal Appointments Matter

Antenatal care is about more than just “checking in” on your pregnancy.

It's a proactive and preventative approach that:

  • Monitors your baby's development - ensuring they are growing and thriving as expected.
  • Protects your health - detecting early signs of conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, obstetric cholestasis or anaemia.
  • Provides emotional support - addressing concerns, answering questions, and offering reassurance.
  • Prepares you for birth - through information, advice, and practical planning.

This private obstetric service ensures you receive all the essential medical checks, with the added benefit of longer, unhurried appointments and access to my expertise whenever you need advice.

How Many Antenatal Appointments Will You Have?

The typical schedule for a healthy pregnancy is:

  • First pregnancy - Around 14 appointments
  • Subsequent pregnancies - Around 12 appointments

Appointments are every 2-4 weeks, up until 32 weeks, at which point the visits increase to every 2 weeks before increasing to every week from 36 weeks to delivery. However, at Obstetric Care, I may recommend more frequent visits throughout, especially if:

You have a high-risk pregnancy (e.g., twins, existing medical conditions, previous complications).

You develop concerns between appointments.

You require additional reassurance or check-ups. 

The Antenatal Appointment Timeline

Here's a breakdown of the key antenatal appointments and what each involves.

(Weeks are approximate - your exact schedule may vary.)

Booking Appointment (7-10 weeks)

Your first official, booking antenatal appointment is usually the longest.

It includes:

  • Detailed medical, family, and obstetric history.
  • Discussion of your lifestyle, diet, and emotional wellbeing.
  • Initial blood pressure check, urine test, and blood tests (to check blood type, iron levels, immunity to certain infections).
  • Information about screening tests for chromosomal conditions.
  • Planning your schedule of care.

At Obstetric Care, this appointment may also include an early pregnancy reassurance scan, so you can see your baby and their heartbeat right from the start.

Dating Scan (11–13 weeks)

An ultrasound to:

  • Confirm your due date.
  • Check number of babies.
  • Assess early development.
  • Offer combined screening for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome, and Patau's syndrome.

16-Week Appointment

At the 16-week stage I will:

  • Check blood pressure and urine for signs of infection.
  • Recommended vaccinations
  • Review blood test results from your booking appointment.
  • Discuss vitamin supplementation and lifestyle adjustments.

20-Week Anomaly Scan- a key milestone

Around this time, you will need a detailed ultrasound scan assessing:

  • Your baby's organs, bones, heart, and brain.
  • Placental position.
  • Growth and development markers.

24-Week Appointment

  • Blood pressure and urine checks. Checking for signs of preeclampsia.
  • Monitoring growth and development.
  • Booking antenatal classes.
  • Addressing any emerging concerns.

28-Week Appointment

  • Blood pressure and urine checks. Checking for signs of preeclampsia.
  • Repeat blood tests to check for anaemia and antibody screening.
  • Discussion of anti-D injections if you are rhesus negative.
  • Checking for gestational diabetes.
  • Measuring fundal height (uterus size) to monitor growth.
  • Discussion about the importance of fetal movements.

32-Week Appointment

  • Blood pressure and urine checks. Checking for signs of preeclampsia.
  • Ongoing wellbeing discussion.

34-Week Appointment

  • Blood pressure and urine checks. Checking for signs of preeclampsia.
  • Assessing baby's position.
  • Discussing birth preferences and creating a birth plan.

36-Week Appointment

  • Blood pressure and urine checks. Checking for signs of preeclampsia.
  • Screening for Group B streptococcus.
  • Checking whether the baby is engaged (ready for birth).
  • Final birth preparation discussion including time and mode of birth

38-Week Appointment

  • Monitoring wellbeing and readiness for birth.
  • Discussion about fetal movements.
  • Addressing last-minute questions or concerns.

40-Week Appointment (Typically first pregnancy only)

  • Checking progress if you've passed your due date.
  • Discussing options.

41-Week Appointment

If labour hasn't started naturally, delivery will usually be recommended.

Learn: High-Risk Pregnancies - What You Need to Know and How We Manage Them

What Makes Private Antenatal Care Different?

Many women choose private antenatal care for many of the personal benefits it offers them and their baby, including:

  • Longer appointment times with your consultant.
  • More frequent appointments
  • Greater continuity of care - you see the same doctor every time.
  • Flexible scheduling to suit your lifestyle.
  • Extra scans and monitoring for reassurance.
  • Direct contact with your consultant for urgent queries.

At Obstetric Care, we combine the best of modern obstetric medicine with a personalised, supportive approach.

Common Tests and Checks During Antenatal Care

Throughout your pregnancy, antenatal appointments may include:

  • Blood pressure and urine testing - to detect early warning signs of conditions like preeclampsia.
  • Ultrasound scans - for dating, anomaly detection, and growth tracking.
  • Blood tests - checking iron levels, blood group, and immunity status.
  • Glucose tolerance tests - screening for gestational diabetes.
  • Physical assessments - such as measuring your bump and feeling your baby's position.

Your Role in Antenatal Care

Appointments work best when you:

  • Bring a list of questions - no concern is too small.
  • Track your symptoms - changes can help guide care decisions.
  • Follow health advice - including nutrition, supplements, and activity levels.
  • Speak up about emotional wellbeing - pregnancy is as much mental as physical.

Tailored Antenatal Care at Obstetric Care - My Commitment to You

Every pregnancy is different, and our goal is to ensure you feel informed, supported, and confident from your first appointment to the day you give birth. We specialise in high-quality, personalised obstetric care, with the expertise to manage both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.

Whether you are attending your very first booking appointment or approaching your due date, you'll have access to expert medical care, clear guidance, and reassurance every step of the way. 

Learn: What to Expect in Your First Consultation with a Private Obstetrician

If you would like to discuss your antenatal care options or arrange your first appointment, contact Obstetric Care today – we're here to support you and your baby from the very beginning.
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