Once you have confirmed your pregnancy with your GP, they will make a referral to the Community Midwifery Team who will arrange your antenatal care going forward.
Your first appointment with the community midwives will take place when you are between 8-12 weeks gestation. This is referred to as the 'booking appointment'. This will be face-to-face with a community midwife and will last approximately 1 hour. The midwife will ask a variety of questions. These will allow us to understand your medical, obstetric, family history and we will also be able to make further arrangements if you have any additional needs.
At the appointment the community midwife will provide you with your green handheld notes - it is vital that you bring these to every appointment with you, including ultrasound and obstetric appointments.
Your midwife will also have the opportunity to discuss with you; antenatal screening tests, pattern of appointments for antenatal care, what to eat and avoid in pregnancy as well as answer any questions you may have at this stage.
Where to have your baby
During your pregnancy, you will have the opportunity to discuss your birth preferences and where to deliver your baby. We use your pregnancy, any obstetric or medical history to make a recommendation.
Common abbreviations
- You may hear about these abbreviations either during your pregnancy or on the ward:
- AC - Abdominal Circumference
- AF - Artificial Feeding
- BF - Breastfeeding
- BMI - Body Mass Index
- BP - Blood Pressure
- BPM - Beats Per Minute
- EFM - Electronic Fetal Monitoring
- Ceph - Cephalic (head)
- CTG - Cardiotocograph
- FBC - Full Blood Count
- FH - Fetal Heart
- FM - Fetal Movements
- GBS - Group B Strep
- GTT - Glucose Tolerance Test
- Hb - Haemoglobin
- HVS - High Vaginal Swab
- IOL - Induction of Labour
- MSU - Midstream Specimen of Urine
- TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
- USS - Ultrasound Scan
Schedule of Antenatal Appointments
- Booking appointment (approximately 10 weeks) - 1 hour appointment
- 12 weeks - Dating scan and offer of screening tests
- 16 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 min appointment
Results of screening tests- 18-20 weeks - Anomaly scan
- 25 weeks - For women having their first baby, or those requiring increased surveillance - 20 minutes
- 28 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 minutes
Offer of 28 week blood tests
(additional 20 mins for those requiring Anti D)- 31 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 minutes
- 34 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 minutes
- 36 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 40 minutes
Discussion of birth preferences- 38 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 minutes
- 40 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 minutes
- 41 weeks - Routine antenatal appointment - 20 minutes
What to eat in Pregnancy
Following a healthy diet and lifestyle will help to keep you well during your pregnancy, giving your baby the best possible start in life.
You don't need to follow a special diet, just make sure that you get a balance of nutrients that are important for you and your baby.
Please see the link below to the NHS website for the most up-to-date information.
Have a healthy diet in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Vitamins and Minerals
Eating a healthy, varied diet will help you to get the vitamins and minerals you need while you are pregnant. However, there are some that are especially important. These include; folic acid, vitamin D, iron, vitamin C and calcium.
Here is a useful video on vitamins and minerals which are good for you to have during pregnancy
What to avoid in Pregnancy
Food and drink to avoid
- There are some foods and drinks which should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Please find a comprehensive list here: Foods to avoid in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Caffeine
- High levels of caffeine can result in babies having a low birth weight which can increase the risk of health problems in later life. Too much can also cause miscarriage.
- Caffeine is found naturally in lots of foods such as coffee, tea and chocolate and is added to some soft drinks and energy drinks. It can also be found in certain cold and flu remedies.
- You should have no more than 200mg a day or try decaffeinated tea and coffee, fruit juice or water and limit the amount of 'energy' drinks, which may be high in caffeine.
- Caffeine content of food and drink:
- 1 mug of instant coffee: 100mg
- 1 mug of filter coffee: 140mg
- 1 mug of tea: 75mg
- 1 can of cola: 40mg
- 1 can of 'energy' drink: up to 80mg
- 1 x 50g bar of plain chocolate: up to 50mg
- 1 x 50g bar of milk chocolate: up to 25mg
- Alcohol in pregnancy
- Experts are still unsure exactly how much alcohol, if any, is safe to have whilst you're pregnant. The Chief Medical Officer for the UK recommends the safest approach is not to drink any alcohol.
- Avoid drinking alcohol if there is any chance you may be pregnant and if you have any concerns about your alcohol intake you should consult with a health professional.
Flying while pregnant
- Most airlines will not let you fly after week 37 of pregnancy or week 32 if you're pregnant with twins.
- Long distance flying (over five hours) has an increased risk of thrombosis (blood clots). Make sure that you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. You can buy compression stockings from any pharmacy which will help to reduce your risk of blood clots and fluid being retained in your legs (oedema).
Safety in the car
- To protect yourself from injury during a potential car accident. Please ensure you wear your seatbelt with the diagonal strap across your body between your breasts and the lap strap over your upper thighs. The straps should lie above and below your bump.
Smoking
- Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is highly recommended during pregnancy. Cigarettes contain over 4000 chemicals and can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. Babies born to mothers who smoke are on average 200g lighter than other babies. This can lead to problems during and after delivery and are more prone to making babies more likely to develop an infection. Stopping smoking will benefit you and your baby immediately, allowing your oxygen levels to return to normal, reduce the risk of stillbirth, and decrease the chances of having a premature baby with additional health problems.
- Please find additional information from NHs choices linked below: Stop smoking in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
E Cigarettes
- The devices currently on the market do not meet the appropriate standards of safety and quality. The level of risk associated with their use is not known.
- If you smoke and want help to give up then talk to your midwife or contact Guernsey Quit line www.gsyquitline.com
Medicines
- Talk to your doctor if you take regular medication - ideally before you start trying for a baby or as soon as you find out you are pregnant, to make sure it is suitable whilst pregnant. Make sure that you inform all health professionals that you are pregnant before they prescribe you any medication or give you any treatment.
Illegal drugs
- Illegal drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin can harm your baby. If you use illegal drugs, it is important to talk to your midwife so they can refer you for additional support.
Medicinal Cannabis (CBD oil)
- Medicinal cannabis can be used to helps relieve chronic pain and even lowers the symptoms of anxiety and stress without the high. There is very limited evidence available to medicinal cannabis use in pregnancy and most health professionals advise against its use in pregnancy.
Fetal movements
You will usually start feeling some flutters or movements between 16 and 22 weeks. Later in pregnancy your baby will develop its own pattern of movements - which you will soon get to know and feel every day.
At each antenatal appointment, your midwife will talk to you about baby's movements, try to familiarise yourself with the daily pattern.
Any change, especially a reduction in movements, may be a warning sign that your baby may need further monitoring. If you have any concerns please contact Loveridge Ward straight away: 01481 224377
Post Date
Your pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks, with most women going into labour within a week either side of the due date.
At your 40 week appointment you will be offered a membrane sweep which involves having a vaginal examination where your midwife will sweep her finger around your cervix aiming to separate the membranes from your cervix. This separation releases hormones (prostaglandins), which may kick-start your labour.
The examination isn't painful but can be uncomfortable.
