Get Ready For Your First Midwife Appointment For A Smooth Pregnancy

You just learned that you are expecting.

What’s the first thing you should do?

You should schedule your first appointment with a midwife or general physician.

Make sure to schedule your appointment before you reach 10 weeks of pregnancy because you will be given the option to take several exams before 10 weeks.

You can then begin your pregnancy journey smoothly.

Where will your first appointment take place? 

This depends on your health condition, circumstances, and where you live.

You will be offered antenatal care at:

• Your local health center, birth unit, children’s center, or young people’s project 
• Your local hospital
• Your physician’s office
• Your home with visits from your midwife or doctor

At least two antenatal checkups with an obstetrician will probably be held at the hospital if you are expecting twins or triplets or have additional risk factors.

How long does the booking appointment last?

It is very normal to feel anxious during your first pregnancy appointment. 

But there is nothing to be concerned about. 

Your first antenatal session can go anywhere between 45 and 90 minutes. 

Your midwife will need information, so if you have children that you feel would distract you during your session, then it could be a good idea to make childcare arrangements.

It’s a wonderful chance to get to know one another and fully comprehend what your antenatal care entails.

What will you need to bring?

1. Any prescription drugs you could be taking
2. Any early reports from your ultrasound scans

Make sure your doctor has your accurate contact information and that you arrive five to ten minutes early so you can deliver a urine sample.

What are the tests performed at your first midwife appointment?

Your midwife will perform blood tests to ensure that you don’t have any infectious diseases that could harm your unborn child. 

These include hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV. 

You should schedule your consultations with specialists sooner if you already know these. 

Blood problems that could be passed on to your child will also be checked for in you. 

These include thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

To be sure you don’t have pre-eclampsia, your blood pressure, and a urine sample will be tested. 

High blood pressure is a symptom of this illness, often developing around 20 weeks into your pregnancy or after delivery.

Size and weight will be measured to figure out your BMI.

What does your midwife want to know?

Your midwife will be able to assist you more throughout the following nine months if you can provide them with as much information as possible during your first prenatal session. 

Your medical background and way of living. 

For instance, they’ll ask if you’ve ever been pregnant before and if there is a history of illnesses in your family and would also inquire about your partner’s family history. 

Your smoking status, drinking habits, and prescription usage. 

Also, whether you have any allergies and how it affects you.

Your midwife will also want to know about any previous birth history, including any complications you had during your pregnancy journey.

If you’re experiencing any depression or pregnancy anxiety, let your midwife know. 

This is because they are concerned for your and your infant’s welfare. 

Understanding your mental health can help you prevent developing postnatal depression after your baby is delivered. 

Although it is crucial to let your midwife know if you are depressed, this is very common during pregnancy and does not always indicate a mental health problem. 

Tell your midwife how you feel, whether you are depressed or nervous, and be sure to let her know if you have any mental health issues. 

Please don’t feel as though you have to keep anything from your midwife for them to assist you as best they can.

These are all significant issues that they should be aware of.

If you have concerns or want to vent about anything that could affect your pregnancy, feel free to do so with them. 

Anything you say will be kept private and confidential. 

Throughout your pregnancy, you should feel encouraged to talk about any problems you could be having. 

They’ll also want to know when your last period was so they can determine your due date and your medical history and lifestyle.

They will then discuss your birth alternatives with you so you can start planning what you want to do when the big day eventually arrives. 

They’ll want to know whether you want to give birth at home, in a hospital, or in a birthing center, as well as where you want to give birth. 

Finally, your midwife will discuss your feeding choices and ask if you can breastfeed or bottle-feed your child.

What kind of questions should you ask your midwife?

You probably have many questions in mind, so this first visit with your midwife is the ideal chance to get some answers. 

Even if you believe the question is ridiculous, it is still worth asking if you don’t know the answer. 

This is also your best opportunity to inquire about any symptoms that are making you uncomfortable.

It can be a good idea to write down any questions or worries that come to mind before your meeting. 

Here is a list of typical inquiries expectant mothers want to make on their first meeting with the midwife:

• What kind of examinations and exams will I require?
• What choices are there for childbirth?
• How can I sign up for prenatal classes?
• What foods should I consume, and what should I stay away from?
• What kind of workout should I do?
• What kind of facilities can I expect at the hospital?

How many appointments will you have with your midwife?

You should expect to see your midwife for about ten appointments if this is your first pregnancy. 

Toward the conclusion of your pregnancy, they will happen more often. 

Whether your pregnancy is high-risk or low-risk, it will affect the precise quantity and timings of your appointments, which will vary from location to location.

Remember that you don’t have to wait until your next visit if something is disturbing you. 

You will often receive a phone number from your midwife for your local maternity facility. 

Take away

You need to schedule your first midwife appointment before you reach 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Your booking appointment could last up to 45 and 90 minutes, and the number of times you will meet your midwife depends on whether your pregnancy is high-risk or low-risk.

Blood tests, urine samples, size, and weight are collected from you during this appointment to check your health status.

Make sure to keep your burning concerns and questions prepared before meeting with your midwife to get a good start to your pregnancy journey.