Your first midwife appointment, what to expect.

Firstly sorry this wasn't up yesterday, I'm currently feeling really tired but can't get comfy at night so not sleeping properly.

Your first midwife appointment is largely the same whether you are presenting early in pregnancy or are classed as a late booker like me. The purpose of the first appointment is to establish your ante-natal care and start some of the many screening tests available in pregnancy. Below is a brief run down of my appointment.

• Height and weight, these are recorded in your pregnancy notes and used to asses some risk factors.
• Blood pressure measurement – for my degree projected I measured the minifootsteps daddy’s blood pressure over 200 times and now feel really sorry for him!
• Your pregnancy history - i.e. previous pregnancy, miscarriages etc 
• Family disease history
• Blood tests - this is usually 4 samples, to asses your blood type, haemoglobin level, ferritin and infectious disease (if you consent) and a urine test
• Where you intend to have the baby 
• Whether you wish to attend anti-natal classes 
• Maternity benefits 
• Discuss any questions you may have 
• Follow up appointment booking, when these appointments will be largely depends on the NHS trust which covers your area with your first pregnancy you will likely have an appointment to see the midwife at 16 and 25 weeks then every three weeks until 34 weeks and every other week after that. 
• Your midwife will also arrange your ultra sound scan dates and for the late bookers like me a consultants appointment. 
• I am aware the consultants appointment is normal for late bookers however as mine is not for another few weeks I do not know what it entails so will post back later.

Hope that helps anyone who is wondering what is going to happen to them at that all important first appointment like I was. 

P.s if your petrified of having your blood taken (like I am after previously passing out whilst having it done) talk it over with your midwife. In my case almost as soon as the needle went into my arm little man started kicking reminding me why I was having the samples taken and calming my nerves. 

Only 11 weeks until we get to meet our little prince charming!

Vicky x