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Antenatal check-ups and tests

Attend your check-ups to ensure increased well-being and peace of mind

• Antenatal checks and tests are carried out by both GPs and midwives.
• It’s important to attend all the appointments you are booked in for, as any early signs of health problems for you or your baby will come to light in these checks.
• These check-ups are also your opportunity to ask any questions and discuss any changes to your body that are worrying you.
• They will help you to feel reassured that everything is progressing smoothly with your pregnancy.

When will the tests happen?

• Most women should see their GP by their twelfth week of pregnancy.
• You will need to have visited your obstetrician or the hospital antenatal clinic by the twentieth week for your initial assessments, ultrasound scans and special tests.
• First-time mums with an uncomplicated pregnancy will have at least ten antenatal checks.
• They will be scheduled for 16, 18-20, 25, 28, 31, 34, 36, 38, 40 and also at 41 weeks if you haven’t yet given birth. These scheduled visits may occur more frequently as required.
• If you’ve already had a child and have an uncomplicated pregnancy, you’ll have approximately seven checks at 16, 18-20, 28, 34, 36, 38 and 41 weeks.

What will happen at third trimester appointments?

You will have already had all your ultrasound and blood marker tests, so the midwife or GP will continue to make these on-going checks up until birth:

• Your urine and blood pressure will be routinely checked.
• Your urine will always be tested for protein, which may be due to a urinary infection or occasionally pre-eclampsia.
• Your urine is also tested for glucose, the presence of which can indicate diabetes.
• Your weight will be checked and your legs and hands will also be checked for any fluid retention, known as oedema.
• If oedema is combined with high blood-pressure and protein in the urine, it may indicate pre-eclampsia.
• Blood will be routinely taken and analysed for signs of anaemia.
• Your uterus will be felt to determine your baby’s size.
• Later in pregnancy the uterus will be checked to assess your baby’s position.
• Your baby’s heartbeat will be checked.
• In the last month of pregnancy, an internal examination may be carried out.
• The internal exam is to check your cervix and assess your pelvic size to ensure you are ready for a vaginal delivery.

The usual tests to expect

Some of the usual checks to expect antenatally are:

Measuring your baby

• Your GP, obstetrician or midwife will feel, or ’palpate’ your abdomen.
• This is done to make sure your baby is growing properly.
• As you get close to giving birth you’ll be checked to see if the baby is moving round into the correct position for birth.

Measuring the size of your bump with a tape measure

• After twenty weeks, your bump will also be measured.
• This is done externally with a tape measure, and is a record of the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your bump.
• The measurement should be within two or three centimetres according to the number of weeks pregnant you are.
• If there are any concerns about the growth of your baby, you may be referred for an ultrasound scan.