First Trimester Appointments: Complete Guide

Knowing what appointments to expect — and when — can take a lot of the anxiety out of early pregnancy. Here's a clear rundown of the key first-trimester appointments in the UK, from your first GP visit through to the 12-week scan, plus what to bring and what happens at each one.

Your GP visit or self-referral

As soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, contact your GP surgery or self-refer directly to your local maternity service (many NHS trusts now allow this online).

This isn't usually a detailed medical appointment — it's mainly to confirm you're pregnant and get you referred into the maternity system.
Your GP or the maternity service will pass your details to a community midwife team.
You'll be given information about what happens next and roughly when to expect your booking appointment.
Don't wait for symptoms to appear before doing this — the earlier you're referred, the earlier your booking appointment and screening can be arranged.

The booking appointment (around 8-12 weeks)

This is your first proper appointment with a midwife and usually the longest one you'll have during pregnancy, often lasting one to two hours.

Medical history — your midwife will ask about past pregnancies, general health, family history, and any medications you take.
Blood tests — checking your blood group, rhesus status, iron levels, and screening for conditions like anaemia, hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis.
Blood pressure and urine — baseline measurements that will be repeated at every future appointment.
BMI — your height and weight are recorded to calculate your BMI, which affects some care recommendations.
Lifestyle discussion — covering diet, smoking, alcohol, and any concerns you have.
You'll also be given your maternity notes (paper or digital, depending on your trust) — bring these to every future appointment.

The 12-week scan (11-14 weeks)

Often called the dating scan, this is usually the first time you see your baby on ultrasound.

Dating — confirms how many weeks pregnant you are and gives you a more accurate due date.
Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement — measures fluid at the back of the baby's neck, used as part of combined screening.
Heartbeat check — confirms your baby's heart is beating normally.
Combined screening blood test — taken alongside the scan to assess the chance of Down's, Edwards', and Patau's syndromes.
The appointment typically takes 15-30 minutes, though the scan itself is shorter.

What comes after the first trimester

Once you're through your first-trimester appointments, your antenatal calendar continues with:

A 16-week check, usually a shorter midwife appointment to discuss your screening results and answer questions.
The 20-week anomaly scan, a detailed ultrasound checking your baby's development.
Regular midwife appointments continuing through the second and third trimesters, with frequency increasing as you approach your due date.

Always bring your maternity notes to every appointment, and write down any questions beforehand — it's easy to forget them once you're in the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is my first pregnancy appointment?

Your first step is contacting your GP or self-referring to your local maternity service as soon as you get a positive test — this isn't a detailed check, just a referral into the system. You'll then be booked in for your midwife booking appointment, which typically happens between 8 and 12 weeks.

What happens at the 12-week scan?

The 12-week (dating) scan confirms how many weeks pregnant you are, measures nuchal translucency as part of screening, and checks your baby's heartbeat. It's usually combined with a blood test that assesses the chance of certain chromosomal conditions. Most appointments last 15-30 minutes.

What should I bring to my booking appointment?

Bring any information about your medical history, previous pregnancies, and current medications, along with ID if requested. You'll be given maternity notes at this appointment (or access to digital notes) — from then on, bring these to every future appointment throughout your pregnancy.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice — always speak to your midwife or GP about your individual pregnancy.

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