First midwife appointment

[IVFfirsttimer91]

Hi everyone!

Ive got my first midwife appointment on Monday (london) and I was just wondering what I can expect. What tests do they do? Any info would be really helpful so I can prepare.

thanks!

Blood test, urine sample,medical history,height & weight. That’s what ours covered last week during the first appointment :)

@snoopy18 thanks so much! Do they tell you what they’re testing the blood/urine for? As this pregnancy Is an IVF one I’ve had a battery of blood tests done already (including one on Thursday) and am keen to have as few blood tests as possible 😂

Urine Infection, strep B

Yes they tell you and also ask your permission, they test full blood count, HIV, hepatitis, sickle cell, some other things can’t remember.

Did anyone have a carbon monoxide test? I’ve seen them mentioned but are they standard now along with blood and urine tests?

Yes they were thorough and told me but I can’t remember what now as there was a few things.Don’t blame you haha. I had bloods done previous week and so left with bruises this time round. Poor veins.

Hi @IVFfirsttimer91 - I did IVF too and feel your pain with the blood tests! I've got one good vein and it ends up very bruised.

The blood tests are for a variety of things, including HIV, syphillis and Hep B, and to check your blood type. They took a lot of blood from me so maybe other things too.

You'll have had at least some of the blood tests prior to IVF I think (I was tested for HIV etc). You could try taking the results along to the appointment with you? I didn't think to do this, unfortunately.

And carbon monoxide at each appointment is standard. Nothing to worry about - just blow into a tube.

Yes I had carbon monoxide test.

Yes had the carbon blow test too

I had mine yesterday! All the tests above and lots of health/history questions. It took nearly 2 hours in the end.

Sorry to disappoint but it's very boring! Just getting you on the system really and flagging up anything that might need attention like pre existing medical issues etc.

Quite a lot of of checklists is there a history of xyz in your family stuff

The initial booking appointment is about taking your medical and social history (lots and lots of questions from everything from when your last smear was to whether your and baby’s father are related). They will also do your height and weight, blood pressure, urine dipstick (testing for protein and glucose) and the first sample is also sent to the lab to check for a urine infection. Carbon monoxide breath test. Also blood tests for anaemia, HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis, your blood group and whether you have any antibodies. They will also ask your ancestry to screen for whether you are within the higher risk group for maybe having the gene for sickle cell
or thalassaemia. They will also ask you if you would like the screening for Downs, Edwards and Patau’s syndromes (chromosomal abnormalities) with your first scan.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/screening-tests-for-you-and-your-baby/introduction

They will ask you if you smoke, are taking folic acid and vitamin D and give you information on foods you need to avoid. They will also assess your risk factors to decide if you need consultant or midwife led care, extra scans, aspirin in pregnancy, if you need any preventative measures needed in pregnancy to reduce your risk of developing blood clots, if you need screening at a later date for gestational diabetes and any other extra monitoring or support for example, referral to smoking cessation. This is all done as standard nationally at the booking appointment, although some trusts may do this spilt into 2 appointments. They aim to book your initial first scan (whether or not you have had previous scans) for when your around 12 weeks

you and your baby’s father

P.s. they are still likely to want to do all the the standard screening blood tests even if some elements may have previously been done elsewhere, it’s just less risk/hassle from their point of view. They are working to very strict protocols

Also they will apply for your prescription and nhs dental cost exemption certificate but must not sign yourself as exempt until you have actually received email/written confirmation of this

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/screening-tests-for-you-and-your-baby

Thanks everyone for the info! Appreciate you taking the time to respond!