Your first appointment
At the start of your pregnancy, during your first visit your Midwife will make an assessment based on your previous and current medical history and pregnancy history, as well as any social and mental health needs.
Dependent on the outcome of your assessment, you will be allocated to either high risk or low risk care. Your care will be planned ensuring that you receive any additional scans or appointments with an Obstetrician if required. The Antenatal Pathways below show additional care you may require depending on your medical or pregnancy needs.
Throughout your pregnancy you will be offered regular appointments with your Midwife. Your care will be designed around your individual needs, although there are a minimum number of times it is recommended that you are seen. These appointments check that you and your baby are healthy and that any problems can be picked up as early as possible. Information about your appointments and what will be discussed can be found in the NICE Schedule of antenatal appointments.
For further information about your antenatal care visit: NHS Choices, Your antenatal care.
We understand that on some occasions you may wish to request a different Midwife to care for you. This can be accommodated by speaking to one of the Community Midwife Managers. Please e-mail community.midwives@mcht.nhs.uk with your contact details, asking to speak to a Manager.
- Anaesthetic Risk Pathway
- Combined Medical History
- Epilepsy in Pregnancy
- Essential Hypertension
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
- Hepatitis B
- High Risk of Preterm Labour
- Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy
- Intermediate Risk of Preterm Labour
- Low Risk Pathways
- Maternal Cardiac Condition
- Maternal Renal Condition
- Personal History Combined
- Pre-Existing Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Pregnant Teenager
- Previous Caesarean Section x1
- Previous Caesarean Section x2 +
- Previous History of Hypertensive Disease
- Previous Obstetric History Combined
- Previous Still Birth or Neonatal Death
- Severe Asthma
- Triplets
- Twins - Dichorionic Diamniotic
- Twins - Monochorionic Diamniotic
- Twins - Monochorionic Monoamniotic
- Women who Refuse Blood Products
- Cleft Lip (FM11)
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (FM13)
- Congenital Heart Defects (FM12)
- Cystic Hygroma (FM8)
- Diagnostic Testing Declined after Screen Positive Result for Down's Syndrome (FM10)
- Dilated Renal Pelvices (FM2)
- Early Fetal Growth Restriction (FM15)
- Echogenic Bowel (FM14)
- Gastrochisis (FM6)
- Low PAPP-A (FM1)
- Monitoring Blood Group Incompatibility Antibodies (FM9)
- Nuchal Translucency ≥ 3.5mm (FM7)
- Omphalocele (FM5)
- Talipes (FM4)
- Ventriculomegaly (FM3)
It is important that your baby’s growth is monitored accurately during pregnancy. Your Midwife will assess your risk of having a small or growth restricted baby, and will arrange regular ultrasound scans if you have any risk factors.
If you have no risk factors, your baby’s growth is assessed by measuring your abdomen. These measurements will begin to be plotted at you first appointment after 26 weeks.
All measurements are plotted onto an electronic customised growth chart. The chart is calculated using your height, weight, ethnic origin and details about any previous babies you may have had. The system will calculate your baby’s expected growth rate and indicate if further investigation or actions are required.
Personalised care planning
During your pregnancy we will continuously assess you and your baby to ensure that we provide the appropriate care. Your Midwife will discuss an individual plan of care with you and together you will agree the pattern of your appointments. If at booking or during your pregnancy, any risk factors are identified, you will be referred to an Obstetrician to further plan your care.
For women with health and pregnancy related conditions additional appointments are required. These are outlined in our antenatal care pathways.
Terms you may hear
During your pregnancy you may hear terms and not know what they mean, we have listed some below with an explanation to help.
Antenatal | Time before birth while being pregnant |
Intrapartum | Time during labour and birth |
Postnatal | Time immediately after birth |
Perinatal | Covers antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period |
ANDAU | Antenatal Day Assessment Unit |
Cardiotograph (CTG) |
Electronic monitoring of your baby's heart rate |
Obstetrician | A Doctor specialising in care during pregnancy and the early postnatal period. |
Screening tests | Investigations and tests for you and your baby to assess for potential medical conditions or problems |
Choose the right service within Maternity
Our Midwives are always here to answer any concerns you may have, however we would like you to contact the professional or department most appropriate for the concern you have.
I want to rearrange my appointment / scan |
Antenatal Clinic (ANC): 01270 273127 |
I cannot contact my Community Midwife |
E-mail: community.midwives@mcht.nhs.uk |
I would like to reserve a birthing pool for a homebirth | Midwifery Led Unit: 01270 278063 |
I have symptoms of a chest / ear / throat infection / diarrhoea / illness not associated with pregnancy |
NHS 111 via telephone or online https://111.nhs.uk/ GP or out of hours service |
I need a repeat prescription |
Prescriptions given by Triage, Maternity Ward or ANC contact ANC: 01270 612171, (Mon–Fri, 8.30am – 4.30pm excluding bank holidays) |
I have one of the following concerns:
|
Triage can advise on pregnancy related concerns from 16 weeks gestation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (similar to an Emergency Department). Triage: 01270 273116 We prefer if you telephone first so we can plan your care and advise you appropriately. However, you are welcome to come to Triage without ringing first if you would feel more comfortable to do so. |
I have unusual chest pain | Attend the Emergency Department immediately |
I have had my baby and have concerns about myself and/or my baby |
For urgent concerns dial 999. |
I am in labour (37 weeks+) |
Depending where you are planning to have your baby, contact: |
I have concerns about my baby's feeding | Your named Midwife's mobile number can be found in your hand held notes or you can contact the office to speak to a Midwife or Community Support Worker: 01270 612171 |