Below is a guide to the standard appointments, tests, and scans for women receiving midwife-led care. Keep in mind that every pregnancy is unique, and the schedule outlined here represents the minimum you can expect. Your care may vary based on your individual needs.

You'll have a number of antenatal appointments during your pregnancy, and you'll see a midwife or sometimes an obstetrician (doctor specialising in pregnancy).

They'll check the health of you and your baby, give you useful information for relevant to the stage of pregnancy you are in and answer any questions.

Pregnant employees have the right to paid time off for antenatal care.

For a more detailed breakdown of what to expect at your appointments visit Your antenatal appointments - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you're pregnant with your first baby, you'll have more appointments than those already with children.

Some women may need a glucose tolerance test (GTT) to screen for gestational diabetes, usually between 24-28 weeks. At your booking appointment, your midwife will assess your risk and refer you for the test if needed. If you've had gestational diabetes before, the test will be done earlier, and repeated if negative. You may also be given a blood sugar monitor to track your levels.

The GTT takes about two hours. After fasting overnight, a blood sample is taken, followed by a glucose drink and another sample two hours later. If diagnosed, you'll receive care from a consultant and specialist diabetes team to manage your pregnancy.

You can start preparing for your birth in the early stages of pregnancy, thinking about classes and finding out what is available locally to suit you is important.

Click on the link below to find out more

Preparing for birth – Maternity Matters Dorset

BadgerNet Maternity is an electronic maternity healthcare record system, created and managed by CleverMed Ltd. It allows real-time recording of all events wherever they occur: in the hospital, the community, or at home.

Badger Notes is the online portal and app that allows you to access your maternity records over the internet through your PC, tablet device or mobile phone. The information that you view is generated in real-time from your hospital-based maternity system record, using details entered by your midwife or other health professionals involved in your care.

Click on the link below to find out more

Badger Notes – Maternity Matters Dorset

If you need support with using digital for healthcare click here.

Click on the links below to find out more about the first trimester.

Think you’re pregnant? – Maternity Matters Dorset

Self-referral – Maternity Matters Dorset

Early pregnancy 0-12 weeks

Click on the link below to find out more about the second trimester. 

Mid pregnancy 13-27 weeks

Click on the link below to find out more about the third trimester. 

Late pregnancy 28 weeks +

Health Visitors – Maternity Matters Dorset