Antenatal care is aimed at making sure you and your baby are fit and well, to check the baby is developing properly and where possible, to prevent anything from going wrong. It is important for you and your baby that you attend for antenatal care regularly.

An appointment system operates at all hospital clinics to help keep waiting times to a minimum. In emergency situations where doctors may be called from the clinic to assist in another area you will be kept informed of the expected waiting times. Please ensure that we know and have recorded any allergies you may have to medicines, foods, latex, rubber etc.

The number of times you visit the hospital will depend on the type of care you have chosen but you should be seen regularly either by your GP, community midwife, or at the hospital clinic. At each visit you will have your blood pressure recorded and urine tested. As your pregnancy progresses your abdomen will be examined to check the baby's position and growth and the midwife or doctor will listen to your baby's heartbeat.

At your booking visit it is important to let the midwife or obstetrician know if:

you are taking any medication
you have any allergies
you are being treated for any chronic disease eg diabetes/high blood pressure/thyroid disease
anyone in your family has had a baby with an abnormality
your family has any inherited conditions
you have had any complications in a previous pregnancy
you have had any social or domestic problems

Whether you have chosen shared care or hospital care the following tests are carried out routinely to ensure best care during your pregnancy:

urine check - every visit
blood pressure - every visit
baby's heart rate - every visit

blood group - booking and at 28 weeks if you are rhesus negative
blood count - booking and at 28 weeks if you are rhesus negative or 34 weeks if you are rhesus positive
rubella - at booking
syphilis - at booking
hepatitis B - at booking
HIV - at booking
any other tests required

The results of your blood tests will be placed in your notes when you next attend the hospital (usually at your 20 week scan appointment). If any of your results are abnormal, you will be informed of this by your midwife or your GP. We do not give out results over the telephone.

A scan will be offered to all mothers at booking (approx 12 weeks) and at 20 to 22 weeks. The following tests are available but not offered routinely. Please ask your obstetrician or midwife if you wish to discuss these tests further.

Screening Triple Test is a screening blood test which will calculate your risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome.

Diagnostic amniocentesis is a diagnostic test which involves taking a sample of fluid from your womb. It takes about three weeks to get the result and it can tell if your baby has Down's syndrome or any other chromosomal abnormality. This test carries a risk of miscarriage and you should discuss concerns with your obstetrician. There is an option to get your result within 48 hours, but you have to pay for this. Please ask for more details if this is a test that you are considering. It is important to realise that no test can guarantee that your baby will be born without abnormality.