You can check out my previous post, Managing Your Mental Health In Pregnancy, here. When we found out we were pregnant, I made a list of urgent things to figure out. How to get a midwife was one of them. It turns out this process isn’t as complicated as I originally feared. So, let’s get this over with.
Getting a Midwife
You can read the full Your First Midwife Appointment article on the NHS website here.
As soon as you find out you are pregnant, contact a GP or midwife and they will help you book your first appointment.
Your first appointment (also called the booking appointment) should happen before you’re 10 weeks pregnant.
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant and have not seen a GP or midwife, contact one as soon as possible. So don’t worry, you’ll still have your first appointment and start your NHS pregnancy journey.
What Your Midwife May Ask
Your midwife will ask some questions to help find out what care you need. They may ask about:
- where you live and who you live with
- the baby’s father
- any other pregnancies or children
- smoking, alcohol and drug use
- your physical and mental health, and any issues or treatment you’ve had
- any health issues in your family
- domestic abuse
- female genital mutilation (FGM)
- your job, if you have one
- whether you have people around to help and support you, for example a partner or family members
The first appointment is a chance to tell your midwife if you need help or are worried about anything that might affect your pregnancy. This could include domestic abuse or violence, sexual abuse, or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
FGM can cause problems during labour and birth. It’s important you tell your midwife or doctor if this has happened to you.
Some Extra Tips For Your Midwife Meetings
Planning ahead can make your visits easier.
- write a list of any questions you want to ask and take it with you
- make sure you get answers to your questions or the chance to discuss any worries
- if your partner is free, they may be able to go with you – this can help them feel more involved in the pregnancy
- you can buy refreshments in some clinics – take a snack with you if you cannot buy one at the clinic
Your Maternity Notes
At the end of the first appointment, your midwife will give you your maternity notes in a book or a folder.
These notes are a record of your health, appointments and test results in pregnancy. They also have useful phone numbers, for example, your maternity unit or midwife team.
You should carry these notes with you all the time until you have your baby. This is so health care staff can read about your pregnancy health if you need urgent medical care.
How Mrs Wrincs Feels
This was really easy. We should have done it sooner. Mrs Wrincs spoke to her doctor. Then, they told her how to register online. We were allocated a midwife and she rang to introduce herself and arrange the first meeting. Mrs Wrincs likes our midwife.
We have scanned our maternity notes so they are available on our phones. We still take them with us to appointments but it means we always have them with us.
Next Pregnancy Post: Pregnancy Warning Signs
Previous Pregnancy Post: Managing Your Mental Health In Pregnancy
First Pregnancy Post: I’m Pregnant. Now What?