Booking appointment

[BelleMairead2]

Hello all
Can anyone tell me what to expect from my first appointment with my midwife? (First pregnancy!) shall I take DP with me? I hear you just go through your paper work and possibly do bloods. Can anyone give me some more details, what exactly is likely to be discussed and what are they testing bloods for? Thanks in advance!

[Runningupthathill82]

I definitely wouldn't take your DP (unless he's off work anyway and has nothing better to do!) It's merely a long form-filling exercise. Takes a good 40 mins or so.

They don't check you're pregnant or anything like that - nothing exciting happens! - it's just lots of questions on medical history and so on. Plus they'll put you in the system so you get a scan appt through.

They will ask you about any previous pregnancies (inc miscarriages and abortions), and your mental health history - so that's something to bear in mind if perhaps there's something your DP doesn't know about. They'll also ask you about domestic violence, if he's not there.

My DH was at my booking appt first time round as, at that point, in my area they were doing home visits and he wasn't at work that day. This time round he's just come to the scans, as that's the only time anything interesting happens!

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

[Mordirig]

It takes about an Hour, I've never had bloods taken at my booking in appt.
They weigh you, take Blood Pressure, check your urine for infections/glucose.
Then they take a history of your health, any genetic conditions on both sides of the family, give you a EDD which they work out with a round disk with a number of weeks on it, ( very scientific ;) ) Book in your next apt for the first bloods to be taken and to also book your first ultra sound/ nuchal test.
Generally they ask if you are happy, how home life is, they have to be vigilant about domestic abuse as it usually escalates or starts during pregnancy so its usually just you at the appt although they probably wouldn't turn the father away.
Its a good chance for you to ask any questions because your next midwife appts won't take as long so write down what you want to know so you don't forget.
Oh and you'll also end up with a free prescriptions card and a few samples and booklets with your notes in a plastic maternity folder to take home,, you will need to take that to each appt.
Congratualtions!

[Laodicean]

In mine they showed me a chart which showed that broccoli was good to eat and not chocolate.

This pretty much summed up the rest of the midwifery advice, thankfully didn't subject DH too any of this pish.

[GothJoose]

It seems different depending on the nhs trust. I had blood tests, was weighed and has a urine test to ensure I was actually pregnant.

Long chat about my past health and domestic circumstances. Breastfeeding info.

My DP would have been bored shitless but friends have taken their DP.

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

Here you do bloods, weight, bp, full medical history for you and the baby's father, paperwork, explanation of care, leaflet giving.

The bloods are lots of things including blood group, iron levels, HIV and some others. They may offer some sexual health screening too.

[Oysterbabe]

I had blood and urine done at mine too.

[Autumn2014]

I filled in two different types of paperwork, some of which was duplicate information. The most important thing is to know the date of your last menstrual period.
I was weighed,had my bp taken as a baseline, and my urine dipped. The mw entered some information on the computer, gave me information about the screening tests, and forms to have bloods taken at a later date. I had book a separate appointment with the practice nurse at my gp surgery to get them done. The bloods were for blood group, iron levels, and I think I consented for lots of diseases like hepatitis and hiv... I had extra bloods taken at my 12 week nuchal scan to screen for downs.

[thatsn0tmyname]

The booking appt is quite disappointing. The Dr will fill out a form to get you in the system. They will not pregnancy test you to confirm the pregnancy, weigh or measure you. It was all rather dull.

[Trace38]

I had blood test and urine and my DP came with me - some of the questions were for him.

[bittapitta]

The urine test is to check for water infection, not to check you are pregnant. You'll give a urine sample at every appt.

Agree with others, no need for DH to attend, it's a long health questionnaire, boring enough for you let alone him. DH should go to scans.

[hufflebottom]

I had bloods, weight (groan) and height checked. Informed my BMI was too high (again), told to try and maintain weight (again).

The only reason dp came with me is because he was in sheepdog mode and wouldn't leave me alone, wanted to know everything that was going on. (His first my second). Personally he'll get bored, but just ask if he wants to go. He won't be missing out anything if he doesn't

[DowntonDiva]

Questions, lots and lots of questions!
Weight
Blood pressure
Urine
Any referrals needed (high risk, medical history) I was referred to obstetrician and discussed options for my anxiety.
Basic dos and donts
Leaflets on tests and immunisation
They might do your bloods although j got this at my first NHS scan (C&W hospital)
Time for any questions to the midwife
Book your next appointment

My dp came with me as he likes to be at all appointments and he runs his own diary so can have that flexibility. But other than family medical history there wasn't much for him to get involved in.

[princesspineapple]

My DP was working away at the time and was gutted that he couldn't be there... Until I told him how boring it all was!
As others have said, it was just a form filling exercise... So many questions! I did have my bloods taken to be tested for basically everything, as well as BP and urine checked... just took my word on height and weight.
My midwife phoned the hospital and got me booked in for my scan and consultant booking appointments (high BP) while I was there, so it was pretty efficient! Whole thing took about 45 minutes... But was not as exciting as I was for some reason expecting!

[Jibberjabberjooo]

Dh came with our first dc but not with our second as he didn't need to.

Lots of questions about both your medical history, urine dip for infection, bloods (I had bloods taken both times), BP and weight. They will ask you about domestic violence too. You'll be given your hospital paperwork that you'll need to take with you every time and you may or may not get a scan appointment, mine were sent separately.

[Jibberjabberjooo]

Oh, bloods will be blood group (they need to know incase you bleed at birth and for rhesus status incase you need anti-D) full blood count which includes iron levels as these can drop during pregnancy and things like HIV status. It's all routine. You'll get offered more for your scan.