First midwife appointment?

[ChloeR12]

Hey guys, first pregnancy here. I have my first midwife appointment on Thursday (I'll be around 9 weeks 4 days) can anyone tell me what to expect from my first midwife appointment? (I'm in England! If that makes a difference)

Thanks all

You might be a bit early for booking bloods (I think you need to be ten weeks) but you’ll go through a lengthy form answering all kinds of medical background questions. You’ll be asked if you wish to have the combined test etc and be able to have a chat about them if you wish. You’ll also have a urine test, blood pressure checked and you might have to blow to check your carbon monoxide levels.

@FestiveChristmasLights thanks for your reply! Can I ask what a combined test is? Thank you!

The combined test checks for the likelihood of chromosome abnormalities in your baby.

I had mine done at 8 weeks so it’s not too early for bloods. They just mainly ask you family history, medical history, bloods, blood pressure, urine sample, height and weight. Just generally see how you’re doing etc. It takes around an hour x

Mine was split, so I went and saw the midwife face to face for bloods/urine/height and weight/blood pressure, then a telephone appointment for going through family history, any previous pregnancies, health issues etc. They will ask about things to check you're not at risk of domestic violence or that you aren't related to your baby's father, but the rest of the questions are pretty routine and uninteresting!

I had my booking bloods at 9+3, she took blood pressure, urine sample and filled out tonnes of paperwork xx

Lots and lots of questions in order to risk assess your pregnancy. Lots of information giving to help you understand what antenatal care you will receive and baseline checks on blood pressure, urine, bloods, height and weight.

@ChloeR12 they should give you information about the combined screening (for Down's, Edward's and Patau's) but you don't have to decide on whether you want the test until you are at your 12 week scan. They also ask things like where you'd like to give birth but you can change your mind later if you want. In my experience the booking appointments can really vary - I've had 3 this year, all at 8-9 weeks and they were all completely different! At the first one they didn't even bother to fill in the book just took blood, urine and blood pressure and gave it to me to fill in at home, the second was on the phone and they sent me to the hospital for bloods (think that was a COVID thing...) and at the third we went through every little thing in person and had a follow up call where she was telling me what to bring to the hospital when I went into labour! In any case, it isn't the most exciting appointment by any means and nothing to worry about.