Maternity appointments - confused, please help!

[Holly4748]

I’m currently 33 weeks with my first baby. I was in FMU till 21 weeks as was high risk. All is fine now and I’ve been on the usual maternity care pathway.

I had a midwife appointment at 32 weeks then got booked in for one at 36. It’s my first pregnancy and it seems my appointments have followed that of someone who has already been pregnant (according to what the NHS website says)

My third trimester appointments have been 28, 32 and then it will be 36, 38 and 40

I have spoken with others whose scheduling has been 28, 31, 34, 36 and so on…

Has anyone else’s appointments been similar to what my hospital do????

When enquired they said that is protocol however I am concerned. My baby is measuring between the 90-97th percentile and I’ve also not had any growth scans as it’s on track. Waiting 4 weeks at the end of my first pregnancy has me a little anxious!

Your appointments seem to follow the general plan that my midwife has told me. I’ll have regular growth scans from 28 weeks, I was told the one after that is 32 weeks then so on as you’ve written.

I had no idea but there’s different “pathways” that you are put on for your care. I’m an amber pathway due to my age and a few medical things so you may also be amber as our plans seem similar.

You don't get one at 40 weeks unless it's your first hth

Midwife appointments should be 2-3 weekly at this stage, is there perhaps just under 4 weeks between your 32 and 36 week appointment that could explain it or are you seeing the consultant in between?

No it’s actually just over four weeks, they said it’s normal for them and made me quite anxious. They’re a really good university hospital but not my local, making me question my choice!

It is my first one :) just concerned because everyone else I know having their first have 28,31,34 then so on, whereas mine have been booked further apart

Maybe they do things differently to your local hospital trust. Our trust does 28.31,34,36, 38 and 40 for all mothers and the standard is 2-3 weekly measurements of bump unless having growth scans, so you wouldn’t be left 4 weeks. The NICE guidelines say 31,34,36 weeks for first time mothers so seems strange that your trust not even offering that to first time expectant mothers