First Antenatal Appointment: Complete Guide
Your first antenatal appointment — often called the booking appointment — is where your pregnancy care officially begins. It's usually the longest appointment you'll have, and it sets up everything that follows, from your due date to your screening choices, so it helps to know what's coming and how to prepare.
When it happens and what's covered
The booking appointment typically takes place between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, ideally as early as you can arrange it once you've had a positive test and contacted your GP or self-referred to a midwifery service. During the appointment, your midwife will cover a lot of ground:
- A detailed medical, obstetric, and family history, including any previous pregnancies, surgeries, or long-term conditions.
- Routine blood tests (blood group, full blood count, infection screening, rubella immunity, and haemoglobinopathy screening where relevant).
- A urine sample to check for protein, glucose, and infection.
- Blood pressure and BMI measurement, both used as baseline readings for the rest of your pregnancy.
- A discussion of your lifestyle — diet, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and any medications or supplements you're taking.
- An explanation of the screening tests available to you, including combined screening and anomaly scans, so you can decide what you want to be offered.
- Confirmation or estimation of your due date, often followed up by a dating scan.
How to prepare
A little preparation goes a long way towards making this appointment feel manageable rather than overwhelming:
- Bring your GP referral letter or booking confirmation if you have one.
- Make a list of any medications, supplements, or over-the-counter remedies you're currently taking.
- Note down relevant family medical history on both sides, particularly anything genetic or related to pregnancy complications.
- Write down any questions as they occur to you in the days beforehand — it's easy to forget them once you're in the room.
- Bring your partner or a support person if you'd like company; most services welcome this.
What happens afterwards
By the end of the appointment, you'll usually leave with your maternity notes (sometimes called handheld notes), a rough schedule of upcoming appointments and scans, and information leaflets covering everything from nutrition to antenatal classes. Take the appointment as your chance to ask absolutely anything you've been wondering — nothing is too small, and midwives expect a long list of first-time questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the first antenatal appointment?
It usually takes between one and two hours, making it the longest appointment of your pregnancy. This is because it covers a full medical history, several tests, and detailed lifestyle and screening discussions all in one sitting. Subsequent appointments are much shorter, typically 15 to 30 minutes.
What should I bring to my first antenatal appointment?
Bring your GP referral or booking confirmation, a list of any medications or supplements you take, and notes on relevant family medical history. It's also worth bringing a written list of questions, since it's easy to forget them once you're in the appointment.
Can I bring someone with me to my booking appointment?
Yes, most maternity services are happy for you to bring a partner, friend, or family member for support. It can help to have a second person there to remember details and ask questions you might not think of in the moment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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