How to start your antenatal care

When you first learn that you're pregnant, it’s important to contact an NHS professional as soon as possible. This is so that you can start your antenatal care, and to make sure that you receive maternity healthcare that takes account of all your health needs and preferences. Find maternity units in your area.

You can book an appointment with your GP or directly with your midwife as soon as you know that you're pregnant. Your GP surgery can put you in touch with your nearest midwifery service. If you have special health needs, your midwife, GP or other doctors may take shared responsibility for your maternity care.

Your first visit with your midwife or GP is the appointment when you tell him or her that you are pregnant. They will give you information on keeping healthy, and ask about any previous health or pregnancy issues, such as complications in a pregnancy.

Your next appointment should happen when you are eight to twelve weeks pregnant. This is called the booking appointment. This will last for up to two hours, and could take place either at a hospital or in the community. This means your first appointment may be in a clinic at a health centre, in a GP surgery or at home. Find out more about your first visit and booking appointment.

To give you the best pregnancy care, your midwife will ask you many questions about your health, your family's health, and your preferences. Your midwife will do some tests and scans, some of which will be done throughout your pregnancy. The results of these tests may affect your choices later in pregnancy, so it’s important not to miss them.

Your midwife will also ask about any other social care support you may have or need, for example, support from social workers or family liaison officers.