Antenatal care and checks
Types of Antenatal Care
Midwifery led care
This type of care is designed for women who are identified as having a low-risk pregnancy and this maternity care is carried out by midwives. You will attend the Maternity Unit or Maternity Hub at around 12 weeks for your Maternity Booking , Viability and Dating scan, Blood Tests and Health Promotion. Further Antenatal visits will be arranged as your pregnancy progresses.
You will be cared for during labour and birth by a midwife but Obstetricians will be available if needed.
Consultant led care
This type of care is for any woman who has had problems with a previous pregnancy, has a medical problem that may complicate her pregnancy, or who develops problems during her pregnancy. It is likely that more of your care will involve visits to the hospital, but your midwife and GP will also be involved. Your care during labour will be provided by the duty team of hospital Midwives and Obstetricians.
Shared Care – Consultant and midwife
This type of care is carried out in the hospital at the Consultant’s Clinic and also by Community Midwives, either in your GP Surgery or Midwifery Hub.
This type of care can be due to pre-existing medical conditions, or for woman who has had problems with a previous pregnancy
You will be cared for during your labour and birth by a Midwife and the Obstetricians will be available if needed . You will attend the Maternity Unit at around 12 weeks for your Maternity Booking , Viability and Dating scan, Blood Tests and Health Promotion. Further Antenatal visits will be arranged as your pregnancy progresses. A detailed scan will be arranged for around 20 weeks.
Antenatal Checks
Urine
Your urine is checked for a number of things, including protein or ‘albumin’. If this is in your urine, it may mean that you have an infection that needs to be treated. It may also be a sign of pre-eclampsia (High blood pressure).
Baby’s development
At each antenatal appointment from 26 weeks, your midwife or doctor should check your baby’s growth.
If Midwifery Led Care, the midwife will measure the distance from the top of your uterus to your pubic bone.
If you are Consultant Led Care, the consultant will do this using an Ultrasound Scan Assessment.
The measurement will be recorded in your notes on a Growth Chart.
Blood Pressure
A rise in blood pressure later in pregnancy could be a sign of pre-eclampsia. It is very common for your blood pressure to be lower in the middle of your pregnancy than at other times. This is not a problem, but may make you feel light-headed if you get up quickly. Talk to your midwife if you are concerned.
Further information
Further information on Antenatal Care is available in the Public Health Agency Pregnancy Book.
- Follow the Northern Trust
