Antenatal Care

Antenatal visit schedule

6-8 weeks - Face to Face booking appointment with your midwife. A full medical and obstetric history will be taken along with height, weight and BMI, urine screening and blood tests for antenatal screening purposes.

10-12 weeks - First scan at Rockingham wing

16 weeks - Face to face appointment to review your risk factors and care pathways with your community midwife

24 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment

28 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment / Growth scan if indicated

31 - 32 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment / Growth scan if indicated for all women in their 1st pregnancy and those who are deemed high risk in their subsequent pregnancies

34 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment 36 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment / Growth scan if indicated

38 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment

39 weeks - Growth scan if indicated

40 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment

41 weeks - Face to face appointment with physical assessment

In addition to those above, you may have additional appointments with certain specialities based on your individual circumstances.

If you have any concerns outside of these appointments please call the maternity helpline 01536 492848.

Birth Preparation Workshop

The Real Birth Digital Programme is a birth preparation course like no other. You will be guided through explanation and videos that show the amazing changes that take place for you and your baby as you give birth. You will learn about the different options and choices you can make in many birth situations, too. There are also massage and breathing techniques for you to practice.

Understanding more about your body in labour helps you to make informed choices which can reduce stress and empower you during your birth. Find out more about the Birth Preparation Workshop.

Keeping fit in pregnancy

The following resources can help you understand how to reduce the strain of pregnancy on your body and also help prepare you for your forthcoming labour.

'Fit for Pregnancy': exercises and advice to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy.

'Fit for Birth': essential exercises and advice to help you prepare and cope with your labour.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)

Pregnancy related PGP is common affecting about 1 in 5 pregnant women. The causes may be multifactorial and there is a wide range of symptoms. Pain distribution varies between individuals but can be felt in the lumbosacral area, the front or back of the pelvis, the hips, the groin, the pelvic floor or upper thigh regions. The following resources provide information on how to help you manage your PGP.

Pelvic Girdle Pain and other common conditions in pregnancy

Pelvic Partnership website

Pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy patient information leaflet

If you are experiencing on-going difficulties due to PGP which you are unable to manage with the self-help information provided, please see your GP for further assessment, referral to physiotherapy services may be appropriate.

Pelvic health in pregnancy and beyond

Pelvic health refers to the health and wellbeing of the muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves and organs in and around your pelvis. Pregnancy brings many changes to your body, and understanding these changes can help you feel more confident and know when to ask your midwife for advice or support.

Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, bowel and uterus (womb). During pregnancy, these muscles can sometimes become weaker or tighter, which may lead to symptoms such as leaking urine, pelvic or back pain, or discomfort during sexual activity.

The hormones released during pregnancy help your body prepare for birth by making the ligaments around your pelvis more flexible. While this is a normal and important change, it can sometimes cause discomfort, pelvic girdle pain (PGP), or a feeling of instability around your hips and pelvis.

As your baby grows, the extra weight places increased pressure on your bladder and bowel. This can make you need to pass urine more often and may contribute to symptoms such as constipation or urinary leakage.

You may also notice changes in your posture and balance as your bump grows. These changes can place extra strain on your tummy and back muscles, which may lead to aches and pains or make you feel less stable on your feet.

Looking after your pelvic health during pregnancy can help you stay active, comfortable and confident. It can also support your body's preparation for labour and birth and aid your recovery after your baby is born.

Pelvic Health and Wellbeing during Pregnancy Videos | POGP