Antenatal Check-ups

You should have regular antenatal check-ups from the time you are 8 weeks pregnant to make sure everything is progressing as it should.

Routine check-ups are at monthly intervals from 8 weeks until 28 weeks, then every other week until 36 weeks. After 36 weeks they are weekly until you deliver.

Your partner can go with you to the check-ups and it is a good idea to take him along on the first visit as the midwife will have questions about your family histories. Perhaps most importantly your partner will feel more involved with the baby if he shares in the pregnancy.

You will usually see a midwife at antenatal appointments but you may see a doctor if there are any complications with your pregnancy.

Each time you go for an antenatal check you need to take a urine specimen. This is tested on the spot by a midwife to confirm that there are no abnormalities.

Your blood pressure is taken on each visit. It is normal for your blood pressure to drop slightly during the middle trimester of pregnancy and to rise slightly in the last trimester.