First Midwife Appointment

[braverthanyoubelieve]

Hello

I’m a first time mum with a baby due January 2021, so roughly 7/8 weeks pregnant right now. I have my first midwife appointment coming up this week and obviously being a FTM I have absolutely no idea what to expect!

I wondered if anyone could please shed any light on what is covered, what they ask, what they do etc. Do they verify the pregnancy via urine/blood test?

Is there anything important I need to ask? Is there anything that’s different due to Coronavirus? What’s the likelihood of being able to take my DH?

I have googled this information but it’s all very clinical and I’d like some up to date personal experiences Thank you in advance!

It really depends what area you are in. Hospital trusts do things a bit differently from one another.

Is it your ’early pregnancy contact’ or a full ’booking’ appointment? EPC is usually a shorter appointment (15-30 mins) where the midwife will take some basic details from you, arrange your scan, explain the maternity system, possibly take your blood and do a urine test. A full booking is a longer (60-90 mins) appointment where they go through all of your physical and mental health histories, and discuss social factors such as smoking and domestic violence; all of the information is then used to form a risk assessment that decides your care pathway. You are usually given your notes at booking too. Some areas do EPC and booking as one appointment.

I’ve never known anywhere to do a blood or urine test to confirm pregnancy.

On the DH front I think it’s very unlikely. Many areas aren’t even doing these appointments face to face at the moment. It’s usually best to be alone anyway as the questions can feel a bit intrusive and are best answered honestly. Many women can feel uncomfortable disclosing past domestic violence, previous terminations or miscarriages, or previous genital infections for example. Make sure you know about any medical problems that run in his family though.

Here it's a long appointment, no partners allowed. They take bloods to do screening for various things and check blood group, blood pressure, height, weight and full medical and social histories for you and the father. You get your notes and schedule for care.

Is it your ’early pregnancy contact’ or a full ’booking’ appointment?

Bienentrinkwasser I’m not sure. After I contacted them to inform them of my pregnancy they rang me back and said I had an appointment with a midwife on X date and that they’d ring me the day before to see how I was feeling.

On the DH (darling husband) front I think it’s very unlikely. Many areas aren’t even doing these appointments face to face at the moment. It’s usually best to be alone anyway as the questions can feel a bit intrusive and are best answered honestly.

I understand that in general but that wouldn’t affect me personally as DH and I are childhood sweethearts. Only been with each other and for many, many years now so we’ve no secrets. But I do get that and if they won’t admit him due to corona that’s okay.

Thank you for the replies

ShowOfHands That’s great, thanks!

In my trust (SE England) I had to collect some note from them first, and fill in as much as I could - then I got a phone call from a midwife who asked general details before a face to face appointment (no partner allowed) the following week. They don't confirm the pregnancy at all, but will take bloods from you.

Really helpful if you know your family history on both sides, particularly if there were any congenital defects - eg hip dysplasia on my husband's side. They should run through what to expect over the pregnancy and you should find a timeline of appointments in the front of your notes.

I'd write down any questions you have now, and take them with you - there are no stupid questions! Congratulations and good luck! Xx

For me my booking in appointment was over the phone, took about 40 mins and was lots of yes and no questions about yours and partners medical history, info about what to eat / not eat etc. I didn't have bloods or urine taken until my dating scan at nearly 13 weeks, which partner could not come to.

Under usual circumstances your DH can go with you but they usually ask them to step outside for a bit anyway so they can ask if you're experiencing domestic abuse.

Really helpful if you know your family history on both sides, particularly if there were any congenital defects - eg hip dysplasia on my husband's side.

HoneyWheeler Thanks! Unfortunately I don’t have any medical history at all as I’m adopted. There’s nothing major from DH that we know about but obviously cannot ask his parents at this time as we don’t want to reveal until 12 weeks.

It’s good to know there will be a timeline etc. as I’m very organised so having that information will be a plus.

RunnerGirl123 Thanks for your experience!