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Pregnancy

What happens at your 16 week appointment?

14 replies

Frillsandspills · 29/06/2015 15:24

I have my 16 week appointment on Wednesday. I'm taking a friend with me for some moral support as I want to talk to the midwife about concerns I've been having due to splitting with my partner (because I'm pregnant) and I'm scared about how I've been struggling to cope. if anyone has had to discuss something similar, was the 16 week appointment a good time to do this? Not sure whether the midwife will talk to me about it directly or whether I'll be given the chance to talk to someone else. I don't mind either way.

Anyway apart from talking about how I'm feeling what else should I expect? I'd like to be able to hear the heartbeat if that's something routinely done at 16 weeks, I've been told by a few friends it is but I've read they don't always do it as it's hard to find so I don't want to get my hopes up for hearing it.

i just like knowing what to expect really!

TIA

OP posts:
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AbbeyRoadCrossing · 29/06/2015 15:33

Mine just does urine sample and blood pressure. They'll go through your results from booking bloods and 12 week scan, but they'd have called about anything bad, so don't worry. They check you've got your 20 week scan booked.
No heartbeat listening in my area, but it varies.
They might ask how you're feeling but you'll probably have to bring up the issue yourself. I'd say better to discuss it then than later anyway. Hope it goes well

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Starspread · 29/06/2015 15:36

The 16 week appointment is with a midwife, not a sonographer (did you have a 12-week scan?) so it'll be a mostly 'chatting' appointment - she didn't check for the heartbeat with me. I found the midwife to be really friendly and helpful, and they're already prepared to check in with women about whether they feel at risk from their partner, so I'd imagine she'd be very open to talking to you about your concerns.

Other than that, it was a urine test, an opportunity to run through the blood tests I'd already had and what the results meant, and what I could expect for my midwife care for the rest of my pregnancy, and an opportunity to ask a few questions. Good luck!

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Starspread · 29/06/2015 15:37

Ooh blood pressure too, forgot that. Basically what AbbeyRoadCrossing said.

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bookgirl1982 · 29/06/2015 15:39

I have mine tomorrow so will report back! Midwife did say at my booking in that she would listen to heartbeat.

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mrsdos · 29/06/2015 15:56

16 week app here was a check of blood pressure and urine, I think they did a heartbeat check too.

Also briefly went through 12 week scan and asked about general well being/health..
Tbh I was in and out really quickly

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yummymango · 29/06/2015 16:18

I listened to the heartbeat at my 16 week appointment. I think it just depends where you live as to what the local procedure is.

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AbbeyRoadCrossing · 29/06/2015 17:15

Yeah I think it does depend where you live as last pregnancy they did it but this one they wouldn't - different hospitals

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gnoomi · 29/06/2015 17:27

Yes to blood pressure and going over your last blood test results, but here at least they don't listen for a heart beat until much later (too many people panicking for no reason). If you are rhesus negative (blood type) you might be offered a blood test, as they can find out the blood type of the baby now from this.

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LiverbirdNo1 · 29/06/2015 17:33

I had my 16 week appointment last week, for me it was urine, blood pressure and she listened to the heartbeat, which I had been told they would do at my booking in appointment. She also took blood as we wanted the quad test doing - we weren't able to have the combined test done at 12 weeks due to position of baby. Then just a chat, and confirming my next appointments and that I was booked in for 20 week scan.

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Cheshirehello79 · 29/06/2015 18:44

I echo Abbey - just your blood test results/ urine sample and your general well being really . You can discuss issues with mw at that point so indeed write down some notes as to what you'd like to talk about cause I personally just find it overwhelming.


Listening to heart beat varies from place to place my mw said it wasn't their routine but they do it for 24 weeks app.


Good luck and hope all goes well

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Junosmum · 29/06/2015 18:59

16 weeks is a good time to do it. She'll ask you how your doing and you could bring it up then. She'll listen to you and if needs be offer to pass you on to someone else for a more in depth support session.

Well done for recognising that you need to talk about it.

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bookgirl1982 · 30/06/2015 09:22

Just reporting back.

I had blood pressure checked, urine sample tested, quick chat about blood results and 12 week scan, checked that 20 week scan requested, and listened to baby's heartbeat. General check feeling well and then booked appointment for six weeks time. Took about 10 mins.

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Ava50x · 30/06/2015 13:25

My 16 week appt was with GP, and in my opinion a grand waste of time. She basically took my blood pressure and sent me on my merry way!
Told me bloods from previous appt weren't back yet so couldn't be discussed (had discussed these at a previous appt with midwife so don't know what she was talking about!!)
At that point I was having frequent episodes of low blood pressure and dizziness so I asked her about it and she just said, your blood pressure is fine right now so no worries...

In contrast, my midwife has been absolutely lovely and has always taken the time to discuss any concerns with me. In my opinion it is a waste of time to be seen by GP for a routine antenatal appt. Much preferred to see midwife!

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Toothfairy7 · 30/06/2015 14:27

As other ladies have already posted- routine check of urine and blood pressure, discuss any concerns you may have etc. Our midwife did check baby's heartbeat at this appt actually too.

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