First midwife appointment

[Bella5757]

Hi I have my first midwife appointment in 2 weeks time. I just wondered if anyone can shed some light on what to expect!?
I'm so excited. Also nervous though

Thank you xx

Usually a lot of questions and paperwork about your general health and past health they may also ask about fathers health and just generally a urine test blood pressure and weight. They will also talk you through your white book that will go to every appointment with you until baby is born

Mainly paperwork! They don’t get exciting until later on when you can hear the heartbeat etc!

As above but it might also contain taking blood

LOTS of form filling, and they took bloods at mine too.

I got told my first MW app would be boring and.. it was.
A lot of paper work and questions, blood test, family history, pee test (I can't remember what it was looking for but it came back all clear)
Now I have my first scan in 3 days and I'm so excited!!!!!

I'm in Scotland and at my first one, I had to give date of last period, urine sample, weight and was given my ready steady baby book and some leaflets. Then an appointment was made for booking appointment where bloods were done and all history was detailed.
I then got an app with my notes which saved carrying around the big book of notes like last time.

Congratulations

You also have to decide about screening at your 12 week scan and whether you want the Down syndrome screening, Edwards etc. So I’d read up about that before you go.
You need to be aware of medical conditions that go back both babies paternal and maternal grandparents, heart conditions, genetic conditions etc.

They do you weight height, any conditions you have that might mean you are consultant lead. Then Urine and blood sample

Same as everyone above but DH and I didn’t find it boring - more informative. We got lots of information and got to ask any questions. We also got a run down of which appointments we would have and when, all the scans etc. They also went into detail on what to do if I was concerned at any point, who I should call and which symptoms were most concerning and required immediate attention. I was also very relieved to meet my midwife as she was really lovely.

Just paperwork. Really really boring. They don't start listening in or measuring until much much later on.
Good to get ball rolling though and get paperwork in order for booking bloods and scans

Bizarrely at my first one, I think I was asked about where I wanted to give birth. Barely any time or information to consider options.
I chose the closest hospital so it was easy to attend scans and had babies at home.
Don't be concerned if the midwife is a bit blasé. They do hundreds of appointments so it's routine for them whilst you're all excited.

Thank you all
I read online that they do an Kevin examination too is that right?
Xxx

What's a Kevin exam?

A Kevin exam?

At mine they did bloods, checked what screening I wanted, a family medical history, lots of lifestyle questions about me and some about DH. They also did a carbon monoxide test to see if the foetus was at any risk from smoking. She asked whether I wanted a home birth, MLU or hospital. She also asked whether the father of the baby was my husband, and whether I'm a victim of domestic violence (just to prepare you that some of the questions are quite personal!) Never heard of a Kevin examination.

Lots of questions and paperwork! They will weigh you, check your blood etc. Your welcome to have your partner with you but at my hospital they did kick him out for a bit! Not sure if all hospitals do that though!! Enjoy! And congratulations on your pregnancy xx

Ah, has Kevin weirdly autocorrected from pelvic? In which case, no. No internal exams at all as routine until you get a sweep at 40 weeks (if you want one).

They will ask about your and your partner’s family medical history.

Do you mean a pelvic exam? I haven’t heard of those being done at a midwife appointment at that stage.

I think as rule here in the U.K. they try not to do pelvic examinations unless very necessary, I didnt have one until I was actually in labour .
In America I think it's a regular thing

Pelvic examination

Sorry not Kevin 😳😳

Paperwork, medical history, urine sample and bloods usually. They’ll estimate your due date from your LMP and may either give you your scan date there and then (some trusts do) or you’ll get it through the post a couple of weeks later (this is what mine do). It will take about 45 mins and they’ll calculate your BMI as well usually. They’ll also tell you if you’re midwife led or consultant led care (not really sure on this difference. I’m consultant led this time but no idea what that actually means until I see the consultant in a few weeks).

Other than weighing you, measuring your height and BP there’s no actual physical examination component. I didn’t have an internal examination until over 40 weeks when I had a sweep and then again at 40+11 when they placed the pessary to induce me.

Thank you. Just wasn't sure what to expect as this is all new to me xxx

@Bella5757 you might be right. I live in the UK too and when I got my letter for my first scan (on Tuesday) they said they will be doing a pelvic exam too..

@PhoebeBear ok thank you xxx

Lots of paperwork, mostly linked to medical history of you, partner and your immediate families. Info gathering on dates to establish an estimated due date. Discussions about where you want to give birth and what tests you’d like throughout the pregnancy too (I had no idea so she advised to say yes at the moment and opt out later if we wanted) I had to provide a urine sample and give bloods, she also checked height, weight, BMI and blood pressure too.
It was over an hour of questions and information about options and what will happen next. I found it great, but a tad overwhelming with this being my first as there was a lot to take it, but she was really lovely. I got my freebie vitamins and ready steady baby book (‘my bible’ according to the midwife!) to take away.