Your first pregnancy appointment, sometimes called the booking appointment, is usually the longest. It helps your doctor or midwife plan the right care for you and your baby.
When does it happen?
It usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. In the UK, the NHS aims for it to happen by 10 weeks. Contact your doctor or midwife as soon as you get a positive test, so it can be booked in time.
What happens at the appointment
- Your history: questions about your health, past pregnancies, medicines, family history and lifestyle.
- Your due date: worked out from your last period, and later confirmed by a dating scan.
- Measurements: your blood pressure, weight and height, so your BMI can be calculated.
- Urine test: to check for protein and infection.
- Blood tests: usually your blood group and Rh status, a check for anaemia, and tests for infections such as hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis. Immunity to rubella may also be checked.
- Screening options: information about scans and tests for conditions such as Down syndrome, so you can decide what you want.
What to bring
- The date of the first day of your last period
- A list of any medicines and supplements you take
- Details of any health conditions in you, your partner or your families
- Your questions, written down so you do not forget
Questions you might ask
- Which scans and screening tests are offered, and when?
- Which foods and activities should I avoid?
- Who do I contact if I have bleeding or pain?
Work out your due date before your appointment with our Due Date Calculator.