We believe that every woman needs a midwife but some may need a doctor too, which is why we offer two types or antenatal care – midwife led or consultant led.
Your antenatal plan will be tailored to meet your individual needs. With a low-risk first pregnancy, you can expect approximately 10 appointments. With subsequent low-risk pregnancies, this is lowered to eight.
Antenatal Appointment
Your first antenatal appointment will be at one of our three hospitals (Hertford County, Lister and QEII). This is a routine booking appointment where you will be seen by a midwife.During your first appointment we will discuss screening blood tests as well as the routine booking blood tests available at our Trust with you. Information will be provided about how to book your first scan, this is usually between 11-13 weeks of pregnancy.Your midwife will also discuss the options available to you for having your baby during your first appointment. Lower risk pregnancies will have regular antenatal care, which is provided by the community midwives based at GP surgeries.If you are allocated consultant care, usually for a higher risk pregnancy, this will be discussed with you at the booking appointment and you will be given regular appointments to see the consultant team of doctors. During your antenatal appointments you may be seen by a midwife, Your appointment could include:
- Observations, including your blood pressure, pulse and checking your urine
- Monitoring your baby’s heart rate
- Blood tests
- A scan being booked for you
What to bring with you
Please bring your green notes with you when you come in for an appointment, scan or to have your baby. You might want to bring a book or magazine to read in case you need to wait for results or to see a doctor.
Other clinics
We also have additional clinics which provide antenatal services for our patients:
- Anaesthetic clinic (For example for if you are having a planned caesarean section)
- Anti D clinic for those women who are blood group RH negative
- Diabetic screening clinics
- VBAC clinics (vaginal births after caesarean section)
