First Midwife Appointment: Complete Guide
Your first midwife appointment — often called the "booking appointment" — is your official welcome into NHS maternity care, and it's usually the longest antenatal appointment you'll have. It can feel like a lot at once, but knowing what to expect makes it far less daunting.
When it happens and how to arrange it
You can self-refer to midwifery services as soon as you get a positive test — you don't need to see your GP first, though many women do mention it there as well. The booking appointment itself is usually arranged for around 8-10 weeks, though it can happen a little earlier or later depending on your local trust and how quickly you refer yourself. It's worth booking as soon as you know you're pregnant, since early booking means earlier access to screening options and a longer window to plan your care.
What happens at the appointment
This is a detailed, unhurried conversation rather than a quick check-up, and it typically covers:
- A full health history — your medical history, any previous pregnancies, your family's medical history, and any medications you currently take.
- Lifestyle questions — asked honestly and without judgement, covering things like smoking, alcohol, diet, and any recreational drug use, because your midwife needs accurate information to keep you and your baby safe, not to catch you out.
- Physical checks — your height and weight (to calculate BMI), blood pressure, and a urine sample.
- Blood tests — covering your blood group and rhesus status, iron levels, immunity to rubella, and screening for conditions such as HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis, all offered as standard.
- Discussion of screening options — including the combined screening test and NIPT, so you can decide in good time whether you want them, since some have specific gestational windows.
- Your due date — calculated from your last menstrual period initially, then confirmed more precisely at your dating scan.
- Planning ahead — where you'd like to give birth, antenatal class options, and what to expect at future appointments.
How to prepare and what to bring
A little preparation makes the appointment run more smoothly and means you're less likely to forget something important on the day.
- Write down your questions in advance — it's easy to blank once you're there, and there's no such thing as a silly question.
- Bring a list of any medications or supplements you're currently taking, including over-the-counter ones.
- Know your family's medical history where you can, particularly anything relevant like diabetes, high blood pressure, or genetic conditions.
- Bring your partner along if you'd like — most trusts welcome this, and it helps them understand what's ahead too.
- Be honest about your lifestyle. Your midwife's job is to support you, not judge you, and accurate information leads to better care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask at my first midwife appointment?
Good questions to raise include your screening options (the combined test and NIPT), your estimated due date, food safety guidance, safe exercise, your rights at work during pregnancy, local antenatal classes, and what to expect at each future appointment. Writing these down beforehand means you won't forget them on the day.
What tests happen at the first midwife appointment?
You'll have blood pressure and urine checks, height and weight measurements, and a set of blood tests covering your blood group, rhesus status, iron levels, rubella immunity, and screening for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis. These form your baseline health record for the rest of your pregnancy.
Do I need a referral from my GP to book with a midwife?
No — in most areas you can self-refer directly to your local maternity service as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, usually via an online form or phone call. Many women also mention their pregnancy to their GP around the same time, but it isn't a required step before booking your first midwife appointment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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