Which check-ups will you have and when?

During your pregnancy, there are several regular appointments with us as your midwives. At each visit, we monitor your health and your baby’s wellbeing, and help you prepare for what’s ahead. The schedule below is a general guideline — we always tailor it to your personal needs and preferences.

Positive test!

You’ve just taken a positive pregnancy test — congratulations! This is the time to contact us to schedule your first appointment.

8–10 weeks pregnant

• Early ultrasound: We perform your first scan to assess if there is a heartbeat and whether the baby is implanted in the right place.

10–12 weeks pregnant

• Intake appointment: A one-hour consultation in which we discuss your medical background and explain what to expect. We also talk about prenatal screening options, such as the NIPT, and provide information about the 13- and 20-week ultrasounds. Of course, there’s plenty of time for your questions.
• Dating ultrasound: We determine the exact duration of your pregnancy and calculate your due date.
• Personal care plan: Together we create a care plan that fits your wishes and needs.
• Blood tests: We check your blood group, antibodies, and infectious diseases. If you wish, we also take blood for the NIPT. 

12–14 weeks pregnant

• 13-week ultrasound: A medical scan to assess your baby’s development.
• Heartbeat check: From 14 weeks onwards, you’re welcome to drop by between appointments to listen to your baby’s heartbeat — just for reassurance, without a full check-up.

15–17 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: We monitor your health and your baby’s wellbeing.
• VAS / fear score: We ask everyone to rate their level of fear regarding birth. If you experience anxiety, we schedule a special consultation to discuss it.
• Fun or gender ultrasound: If you’d like, we can perform a non-medical ultrasound to reveal your baby’s gender.

20–22 weeks pregnant

• 20-week ultrasound: A detailed medical scan to check your baby’s development.
• Routine check-up*: We continue monitoring your health and your baby’s growth.

22–26 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: Ongoing monitoring of your wellbeing and your baby’s growth.
• Additional tests: If needed, we perform growth scans or a glucose tolerance test.
• Whooping cough vaccination: We answer your questions about the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.

26–30 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: We continue to monitor your health and that of your baby.
• Preparing for birth: We provide information about labour and delivery.
• Additional tests: If necessary, we repeat blood tests or perform growth scans.

30–33 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: Continued care and attention.
• Blood test: We check your iron level with a simple finger prick at the practice.

34–37 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: We keep a close eye on your and your baby’s wellbeing.
• Birth wishes: We discuss your preferences and expectations for childbirth.
• Heel prick and hearing screening: We explain these newborn screenings that take place after birth.

37–39 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: Weekly appointments as your due date approaches.
• Position ultrasound: We check your baby’s position in the uterus.

40 weeks pregnant

• Routine check-up*: We discuss next steps if labour hasn’t started yet, such as membrane sweeping or inducing labour.

41–42 weeks pregnant

• Extra check-ups: Depending on your wishes, we schedule extra appointments to ensure both your and your baby’s wellbeing.
• Induction of labour: If labour hasn’t started naturally, we discuss the option of induction.

*Routine check-ups: During each routine appointment, the following are standard:

• We measure your blood pressure.
• We palpate your abdomen to assess your baby’s growth and position.
• We listen to your baby’s heartbeat.
• We answer your questions — for example, about topics covered in our Academy articles.
• We explain what’s important to know for the coming weeks.