16 week midwife appt

[LKH27]

Hiya,

FTM here and wondering what happens at the 16 week (and consequent) midwife appointments? What do they check/ask etc?

Had mine yestersay. Main thing was to go over the scan and blood test results. Mine were fine so very quick but she read through the papers so I understood what it all meant.

Mine also asked if baby has started moving then gave loads of advice sbout that and all the warning signs to look out for.

Mine then booked in next appointment - all done in 20 mins.

Did they do any checks on baby? I know that is more 20 week scan etc, but listen to heart beat or anything?

Both my 16w and 20w ones took 10 minutes. Checked my urine, checked blood pressure and listened to babies heartbeat. She also discussed my scan result at my 20w one as I have a low placenta so was checking if my next scan had been booked

She did also say around 28w they start taking bump measurements and she checked I had my whooping cough jap

They don't listen in to heartbeat at 16 weeks in this area (SE London) as it's sometimes too hard to find at that stage and can panic the mother. They take blood, urine, blood pressure, and that's about it.

Thanks guys. Good to know what's coming up.

Depends on the area (and midwife) if they listen to heartbeat as it can be hard to find. My midwife gave me the choice but was clear that we might not hear anything. Then told the student midwife to do what she says and not what she does. It was lovely to hear it in there!

Oh also at mine I've done a urine sample at each appointment, she's checked my blood pressure and asked how I'm doing. From 24 weeks she's measured my bump and from 35 weeks she's been asking me about birth preferences etc.

They never listen to the heartbeat here. Most of the appointments are urine sample and blood pressure check. Then there might be some very rushed information about something or the other, jabs, breastfeeding, etc. Later on there are also tape measurements of the bump.