What happens at first antenatal appointment

You'll have a number of antenatal appointments during your pregnancy, and you'll see a midwife or sometimes an obstetrician (doctor specialising in pregnancy).

They'll check the health of you and your baby, give you useful information and answer any questions.

Pregnant employees have the right to paid time off for antenatal care.

This page lists the appointments you'll be offered and when you should have them.

If you're pregnant with your first baby, you'll have more appointments than those already with children.

First contact with midwife or doctor

Contact a GP or midwife as soon as possible after you find out that you're pregnant.

They should give you information about:

• folic acid supplements
• nutrition, diet and food hygiene
• lifestyle factors – such as smoking, drinking and recreational drug use
• antenatal screening tests 

You should be told about the risks, benefits and limits of these tests.

Screening for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia should be offered before 10 weeks.

This is so you can find out about all your options and m

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