booking appointment - what happens?

[naturesponge]

hi everyone. i'm about 6 weeks pregnant and just self-referred to my local trust. i was wondering what to expect from the booking appointment, as i've read a few threads and it seems like things are a bit different depending on which part of the country you're in (i'm south east).

do i need to come prepared with my medical record and any notes, or will they have read it pre-appointment and ask questions based on it?

does my partner need to come with me? we both work full time.

will they do tests on the day or is that a separate appointment?

thank you in advance.

So for mine, they take a general history of any medical problems you have, such as diabetes in your immediate family, things like that.

they'll want a wee sample from you usually, so I always take one with me instead of doing it there😂

they will take your bloods too.

your partner does not need to be there, you can just give them his name and info yourself and they will just put it all down on your notes, might be nice to have somewhere there for support though.

and they will usually take your blood pressure, weight, and a CO2 reading (you blow into the tube) xx

Nothing much, they do a questionnaire about general health, any family history (usually family history of mental health and diabetes), last period date etc. probably will take bloods, wee sample and blood pressure and CO2 check. I've never taken my husband to a midwife appointment, it would be completely pointless tbh, he came to the scans.

Second pregnancy they did an in depth discussion about my last birth but that had been traumatic and influenced the route of this birth.

Hi there, it's a midwife.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

The booking appointment will be the longest appointment of your pregancy.

I don't think you need to bring your medical notes unless you have a really complicated medical history and recently moved hospital.

The midwife will take your detailed personal and family medical history, will take bloods, check your height and weight and will probably give you tons of leaflets to read. There is just too much information to go through at one appointment.

It is important that you always know when is your next appointmet and who to contact if in case you need medical attention whilst pregnant.

I didn't bring my husband with me to any of my appointments. Like yours, he was working full-time. With hindsight, it was probably a mistake. My husband didn't really bond with the baby until after the baby was born which affected me towards the end of the pregancy. He was super stressed out when I went into labour. And he couldn't advocate for me in labour as he was absolutely clueless as to what was going on and didn't practice asking questions (like lots of dads do during antenatal appointments, in my experience).

I hope it helps

Are you taking folic acid?

Hello, I had my booking appointment yesterday (in Scotland)

I was asked lots of questions on health and family history. Also social questions - employment, any DV history etc

Took a urine sample and some blood as well as height and weight.

I also go the opportunity to ask some questions and the midwife explained process going forward ie the scans and further appointments. A bit info about pre natal classes etc in the area.

I didn't take my husband but he will come to the scan dates :)

Here in the north east we use the badger notes app, so the pre booking appointment questionnaire (family history etc) is completed on there and then at the appointment they go through your answers, take bloods etc x

thank you everyone! you've all been so helpful. it's my first pregnancy and while planned, it happened more quickly than anticipated, so it's a lot to get used to. i've been taking folic acid since the day i found out :)

is it normal for appointments to be in person or over the phone? i saw some posts which said they come to your house. that surprised me if they need to do weighing and bloods etc!

With my last pregnancy they never came to my house until the end and after birth. My booking appointment was over the phone and the follow in appointments at GP/hospital. I guess it depends how stretched the service is in your area

Just to add that it's useful if you know in advance about you and your husband's families' health history. They will want to know if there are any genetic risks from either parent, so ask your husband about family history beforehand! IIRC they are interested in any serious conditions that tend to run in families, plus more minor stuff that affects babies specifically, like hip dysplasia.

I had to do a questionnaire before the appointment. Then she went through each answer. Then do a urine sample, bloods taken, carbon monoxide test, weighed and just a general chat about how I was doing. Plus they talked about vaccinations and what appointments I would have. Was about 40 minutes for me.

They do your height and weight and run some standard blood tests these include blood group testing and testing for certain STIs and HIV as well as things like iron levels.
They will go through your health history, your family history, questions about whether you are related to your partner and about domestic violence. They use this information to determine your risk factors and where you will need additional screening or support from the obstetric team.
At my current GP they send me away with a sample pot and ask me to return it with first morning wee, I was at a different GP when I had my daughter and I gave the sample there. In my subsequent appointments I've been given a sample pot so ahead of the appointment so I can bring the sample with me to the appointment.
They will ask about which hospital you would like to give birth at and have your antenatal care at. I have two fairly equal distant hospitals for birth but one has the option to have the scans and pregnancy appointments at the local cottage hospital so I went for that option.
They ask for your consent for the 12 weeks scan and ask you about whether you consent for the trisomy screening tests.
You'll get the number for the epu and maternity triage if you need any help or support between appointments.