Scans, Appointments, Checkups, Classes - what's normal

[summerson]

Finally I am pregnant again IVF and live abroad. If everything goes to pan I'll be having a baby early next year!!

Anyway as this is my first I would LOVE to hear everything, as much as possible from you as to what is normal in the UK/NHS in terms of monitoring, scans, classes, checkups etc.... What is the timescale, frequency?

What scans do you have, when?
What doctors appointments do you have, when? blood pressure? Blood tests?
Do people do ante natal classes, what are ante natal classes? When are these?

From a lost but FINALLY Pregnant gal to the world, Help Please!

Xxx

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Here is the NHS appointments schedule.

I'm doing NCT birthing classes instead of NHS (mainly as NHS were once a week over several weeks, whereas NCT we can do in two Saturdays).

Aquanatal classes seem to be recommended a lot by the NHS, but in our area they all take place in the working day, which means those of us with jobs can't attend. I still cycle, swim and do lots of walking. Just do whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Midwife checks blood pressure at every appointments. You only see a doctor if there is something additionally wrong.

Thanks special. How often do you see the midwife?

Ps- the NHS website is great thanks, appreciate the link

If it's a normal pregnancy, all the appointments on the NHS link are midwife led. If you have any other issues you may see a doctor. I'm high risk and see the midwife at all the appointments on that link and then have additional scans and doctors appointments (only seen a consultant once though). I don't know if IVF would make any difference to that in the UK.

Is the healthcare system where you are similar? Have you got an appointment to speak to a HCP where you can ask what to expect where you are?

My DS was born overseas and it was all Ob/Gyn led care. My appointment schedule matched the UK more or less but there were a few differences...

I had GD test as standard (apparently not all NHS Trusts run this as a standard test but as DS was 4.03kg I've been told I need a test this time).

DS was vaccinated against TB at birth because we lived in a high risk area. I've been advised to have this baby vaccinated too because of where I lived before.

The hospital I delivered in had a 90% c-section rate... When advised I had to have an emcs I challenged it - twice! Do not be afraid to challenge...

I had an amazing ex-pat support group and anti-natal classes via our hospital. Eight years on we're now spread across the world but still share a special bond! FB and Google are your friends, research what's available where you are, speak to other mum's and use MN to check whenever you like!! I made more friends during pregnancy and after DS was born than in my first 3 years overseas!

Thanks both again for your replies.

I think the appointments will all be ObGyn led as that seems to be the way here. I just wanted to make sure I don't miss anything and I know with the nhs it's less personalised but it's also a nice standard of care you receive that you can trust.

I think I need to find a good hospital and doctor that I feel confident and trust fully. For now I am under my ivf specialists care still until 8 weeks. They are great so I'll ask them for a recommendation too as well as consulting Google!

Looking forward to all these new friends too