What should I do before a booking appointment and a scan?

[EatItAll]

hello all,
My midwife confirmed my booking appt and my scan today but I have not received any letter with instructions yet.
Is there anything I should prepare with before these 2 appointments?
they're coming up soon...

[pozzled]

Nope, just turn up! Not really sure what instructions you are expecting tbh...

[cece]

Nothing really. Just turn up! I don't think you have to have a full bladder now for the scan. My last DC I had to make sure my bladder was empty before they did the 12 week one.

[EatItAll]

pozzled, I don't really know what instructions I'm waitng for either..this is my 1st pregnancy, hubby won't be around for the appointments, so I just thought I should ask around and find out what I should expect. How long do the booking appt and teh scan tend to be?

[DuelingFanio]

Has your doctor given you the green notes? I filled some of mine in.

If not then talk to your DP/DH about family health as I think there's questions on there about that.

[EatItAll]

Dueling, NO green notes yet.. .Al I was given was some kind of a form to fill out which will allow me to get dental work for free...

[Chynah]

Will help if you're clued up on any family medical conditions etc (your side and DP/DHs) as yo will be filling out a medical questionnaire at some point.

[Chynah]

oops sorry Duelling already said that!

[MainlyMaynie]

I did get instructions before both my booking appointment and my scan, so I'm not surprised you're wondering! It's all so confusing when it;s the first time and you feel like you should know what to do.

For the booking in appointment, I got a stack of forms which they asked me to complete as much as possible of and had to take a urine sample. Also as they test sugar levels, I was told not to eat a massive load of sweets or anything just before.

For the scan I was told about having a full, but not too full, bladder and to take some change to buy tokens for pictures.

HTH.

[pozzled]

Each appointment should be 30-40 minutes. The booking-in will just be lots of forms and they will go through what you should expect in your care- what tests they offer, how many appointments to expect and so on. Some places also take blood at the booking appointment, if not they'll tell you what the arrangements are.

Is there no way your DH can make the scan? He doesn't have to be, of course, but it's a really nice moment to share when you first see the baby.

[EatItAll]

Mainly,
that was really helpful - thanks for writing it down. I doubt I'll get any of the forms before my booking apt as it's this Saturday morning but I"ll know not to eat breakfast beforehand.

Based on what all of you are saying, I'll have to speak in more detail with my husband about any medical history in his family..

[notasausage]

You can eat a normal breakfast just not lots of sweets - unless that's your normal breakfast at 12 weeks going without breakfast would have been a sure fire way of feeling very ill - not great for a booking in appointment or scan.

Dito what others have said about family history - grandparents, nieces and nephews but don't need to go further than that. I had some interesting questions re female circumcision, who the baby's father was (DH sitting beside me!) and whether I was at risk of sickle cell disease (white british). Also expect questions about smoking, drinking and lifestyle.