what antenatal? should I feel neglected?!

[sh2006]

Hi. I'm 41, this is my first pregnancy and I'm vegetarian. I'm 24 weeks pregnant and so far have had two scans (12 and 20), one CVS and one midwife appointment at 15 weeks. I've only given blood and urine once and had my blood pressure taken twice. I feel healthy, but am surprised that no-one seems bothered about monitoring my iron and sugar levels. I rang the midwife today and she said I can go in for my next check at 25 weeks. Is this normal? What if something is wrong and it affects my pregnancy or baby?? Am I being paranoid??

[mazzystar]

Sounds about right, it's a similar schedule to the one I have been given, though I think I'm due to have an appointment at 24 weeks. Then monthly till 36 weeks, and weekly thereafter.

I am sure if you have any worries or symptoms or just want to have a chat about things they will be happy to see you if you give them a ring. In my experience mosst midwives are good like that.

[lemonaid]

Yes, that's normal. The appointments will probably be every 4 weeks from the next one but if anything concerns them at any point they may bump you up to every 2 weeks. Trust me, you will soon be very fed up of giving urine samples... (they'll generally check that at every appointment, but will only do one or more sets of bloodwork unless there's an indication that there might be a problem).

[merrily]

Well you've had more attention than I got on the NHS! I had my booking appointment at 17 weeks (even though I informed my GP I was pregnant at 5 weeks), I had one scan at 20 weeks, and saw the midwife every 4 weeks I think, until the third trimester when it became every week. They don't monitor sugar levels unless you have a family history of diabetes, and I don't recall having my iron checked either.

Basically you have to look after yourself, and seek medical attention if you are at all concerned about anything. I recommend reading as much as you can so you are aware of any symptoms of things like pre-eclampsia etc. Call the midwife or go to the antenatal clinic if you are worried about anything and they will look after you. Most likely you will be absolutely fine! Best of luck!

[lemonaid]

Oops. Should read "one or two more sets of bloodwork".

[Seona1973]

By 24 weeks I had had 3 midwife appointments (although the first one was my booking in appointment). I had bloods done at that appointment but never had my urine tested. I wasnt weighed or had my blood pressure done until I was 18 weeks - there was a gap of 8 weeks between my booking in appoinment and my second appointment. I had had my dating scan (originally at 10 weeks but I thought I was 12 weeks so it was repeated at 14 weeks as we dont get an anomoly scan so baby wasnt big enough to do measurements at the first scan)

In summary, by 24 weeks I had had my urine tested twice and my blood pressure twice and had had a dating scan.

My next set of bloods were taken at 28 weeks which does check your iron and glucose levels in case you need iron supplements or a glucose tolerance test if sugar is found. You should get your urine tested and blood pressure checked at every ante-natal appointment but bloods are only done a couple of times.

[Seona1973]

p.s. I am in my third trimester (30 weeks) and my appointments are every 3 weeks just now - next appointment at 33 weeks. Not sure when it changes to every 2 weeks.

[sh2006]

Thanks to you all for your prompt and reassuring responses!