To Birth

Antenatal Care
 
All women are encouraged to make contact with their midwife as early as possible in their pregnancy.  A midwife can be contacted via the Midwifery Led Birth Unit or the local GP Surgery.

The midwife will arrange to complete the booking interview.  Together you will decide the most appropriate package of care, which is either Midwifery Led Care for women with no identified risks or Consultant Led Care where women require additional support.

Except for women with very complex health needs the midwife in the community provides most of the routine antenatal care.  The Community Midwives undertake a weekly antenatal clinic with timed appointments. Subsequent pregnancies may have fewer visits.

These standards are based on NICE Antenatal Care guidelines (www.nice.org.uk).  It is important to have regular antenatal care during your pregnancy in order for your midwife to monitor your health and that of your growing baby. It also give you an opportunity to ask any questions about your pregnancy or raise any concerns that you might have.
 
Antenatal Screening
 
Before your midwife undertakes your booking interview you will be given details of how to access information leaflets about Antenatal screening which is offered to all pregnant women in Wales.

You will need to read the leaflets carefully so you will be able to decide if you wish to have the screening tests offered.  Your midwife will discuss the pack with you and explain the reasons why some of the tests are recommended.  You may choose to have some or all of the tests offered. At your first hospital antenatal visit, around the 12th week of pregnancy, you will have blood tests and a dating scan to confirm your dates.

You will receive a letter from the hospital after a few weeks with your blood results and at this point you will need to make your antenatal appointment with your midwife at the GP Surgery in order to discuss the results with you.

You may also choose to have an anomaly scan, this normally takes place around the 20th week of pregnancy.  This scan reviews the major organs and structures of the baby to ensure it is developing normally.  Further blood tests are usually taken around the 28th week to check your iron count (haemoglobin) and investigate any antibodies in your blood.

Tell us what you want

Information to be added to this section includes:

• how to book antenatal classes
• FAQs
• what to expect during childbirth
• what to bring to hospital

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