When should you arrange the first visit?
Contact an obstetrician after a positive pregnancy test so the timing of your first visit can be planned from your last menstrual period, symptoms and health history. Routine antenatal booking is usually arranged early in the first trimester; some guidelines recommend that the first booking appointment occur by 10 weeks.
You may need earlier assessment if you have pain or bleeding, a previous ectopic pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, significant medical conditions, are taking medicines that need review, or conceived through fertility treatment.
What to bring
- The first day of your last menstrual period and your usual cycle length
- The date and result of pregnancy tests, if available
- A complete list of medicines, supplements and allergies
- Reports from previous pregnancies, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy or surgery
- Relevant medical records for thyroid disease, diabetes, blood pressure or other conditions
- Fertility-treatment prescriptions and procedure details, when applicable
What the first assessment may cover
The consultation may include pregnancy dating, symptoms, previous obstetric history, medical conditions, medicines, family history, blood pressure and an individual risk assessment. Blood and urine tests, blood group, haemoglobin, infection screening and ultrasound timing are planned according to gestation and clinical need.
This is also a useful time to discuss folic acid, nutrition, safe activity, medicines, vaccination, work and travel, screening choices and which symptoms should prompt earlier contact.
An early scan is not identical for every patient. The timing depends on gestational age, symptoms, previous history and the clinical question. A scan performed too early may be inconclusive and require repeat assessment.
Questions worth asking
- How far along am I likely to be, and when should the dating scan be planned?
- Are my current medicines and supplements appropriate?
- Which blood and urine tests are recommended for me?
- Do I have any factors that require closer monitoring?
- Which screening options will be discussed, and when?
- Who should I contact for urgent concerns?
Symptoms that should not wait for a routine visit
Seek prompt in-person assessment for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, marked weakness, breathing difficulty, chest pain, seizures, or feeling acutely unwell. Do not wait for a WhatsApp response in an emergency.
Clinical references
NICE guideline NG201: Antenatal care
WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience.
This guide is educational and cannot replace an individual medical assessment.