Antenatal visits

About antenatal visits

When should you start having antenatal care?

What happens at your first antenatal visit?

Antenatal classes

What happens at other antenatal visits?

When you are pregnant, it is important for you to have regular check-ups with a midwife or doctor. These check-ups are called antenatal care or antenatal visits. Antenatal means before birth. A midwife specialises in caring for women during pregnancy, birth and after the birth.

About antenatal visits

For most women, pregnancy is a straightforward, happy and healthy time. Having regular antenatal check- ups is an important part of staying healthy and making sure your baby is healthy.

Regular checks during your pregnancy can assist in identifying and reducing risks to either you or your baby. Although you may be feeling well, it is still important to go to all your antenatal check-ups.

Antenatal visits also give you a chance to ask any questions and to talk about any issues that you are unsure about, such as aches and pains, the birth, feeding your baby or any other concerns. Before each visit, it is a good idea to think about the things you want to talk about and then write them down so that you don't forget them.

When should you start having antenatal care?

It is a good idea to go to your doctor as soon as you think you may be pregnant. At this visit, you and your doctor can discuss what type of care you would like to have, and when and where you should have your next visit.

The timing of your visits to your midwife or doctor will be arranged on an individual basis after you talk with them.

A normal pregnancy lasts 38–42 weeks.

After your first antenatal visit (booking visit) you may have your next visit around 19-20 weeks, then every 4 weeks until later in your pregnancy, when visits become more frequent as you get closer to your due date.

You may need to have antenatal visits more often if there are any problems with you or your baby.

You can also make appointments to see your doctor or midwife at any time during your pregnancy if you are worried about how your pregnancy is progressing.

What happens at your first antenatal visit?

At your first antenatal visit you will be asked lots of questions about your health, about any other pregnancies, and about yourself, your partner and your family. This will assist the midwife or doctor to plan your care.

Your midwife or doctor will check your blood pressure, weight and height and you may need to have a Pap smear if you have not had one in the last 2 years.

Other examinations (heart, chest and breasts) may be done if indicated.

At your first visit, you may also have some blood taken for tests and your urine will be checked as well.

Your medical history

Your midwife or doctor will need to know your medical history, including information about illnesses, operations, and allergic reactions to drugs, heart or kidney problems and any other health issues.

Your midwife or doctor will ask about any medications you may be taking, including those bought from a pharmacy, health food store or supermarket without prescription.

Your midwife or doctor will also record important personal information, including your age, occupation, your partner’s age and occupation, how much alcohol you drink and if you smoke.

Your family’s medical history

It is important to provide your midwife or doctor with information about any family medical problems such as diabetes, chronic diseases, genetic disorders or a history of twins.

Your gynaecological and obstetric history

The midwife or doctor will want to know

• how often your periods came,
• how many days you bleed for,
• when you had your last period,
• the types of contraception you have used,
• about any previous pregnancies, terminations, miscarriages and live births.

All of this information is kept private and confidential.

If you do not want some information written on the Pregnancy Record that you carry with you, tell the midwife or doctor that you want this kept separately.

Your due date

If you have a regular menstrual cycle and you know the date your last period started this can be used to work out when your baby is due.

Your due date is known as your EDD (Estimated Date of Delivery) or EDC (Estimated Date of Confinement) and is usually around 40 weeks after the beginning of your last period give or take 2 weeks.

You can use the Baby due date calculator as a quick way to work out when your baby is due.

Antenatal classes

Many women and their partners like to attend antenatal classes to learn more about pregnancy and birth, and about parenting a new baby. These classes are held at each of the major public hospitals where there are antenatal services, and at many private hospitals.

At your first visit your midwife or doctor should be able to tell you about how to enrol for these classes, or you could contact the hospital where you are going to give birth.

The classes are very popular so it would be a good idea to book as soon as you can.

What happens at other antenatal visits?

At all visits you will have your blood pressure checked.

On some occasions you may be weighed, have blood taken for tests and may have your urine checked.

The doctor or midwife will palpate (feel) your abdomen to see how much your baby has grown and listen to your baby’s heartbeat.

You can also ask your doctor or midwife to show you where your baby’s legs, head and body are.

Your antenatal visits are a great way to learn about how your baby is growing and what is happening to your body.