Vine Clinic - Fertility Centre

In Vine Clinic, we advise that when you first learn that you're pregnant, get in touch with us as soon as possible. Although your first hospital antenatal appointment may not be until you are around 12 weeks pregnant, telling your midwife promptly will help to make sure you receive maternity healthcare that takes into account all your health needs and preferences.

Starting antenatal care

You can book an appointment with us directly at Vine Clinic as soon as you know that you're pregnant. It's best to see us as early as possible. If you have special health needs, we will take shared responsibility for your maternity care. This means they will all see you during your pregnancy. Let your midwife know if you have a disability that means you have special requirements for your antenatal appointments or for labour. If you don't speak English, let your midwife know and arrangements will be made.

If you're expecting your first child, you'll have up to 10 antenatal appointments. If you've had a baby before, you'll have around seven antenatal appointments. Under certain circumstances, for example if you develop a medical condition, you may have more. Early in your pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will give you written information about how many appointments you're likely to have and when they'll happen. You should have a chance to discuss the schedule with them. If you can't keep an antenatal appointment, let the clinic or midwife know and make another appointment.
Your appointments with Vine Clinic can be arranged to fit into your schedule. You will usually come to us for your scans. To give you the best pregnancy care, our midwife will ask you many questions about your health, your family's health and your preferences. Our midwife will do some checks and tests, 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.

If you're expecting your first child, you'll have up to 10 antenatal appointments. If you've had a baby before, you'll have around seven antenatal appointments. Under certain circumstances, for example if you develop a medical condition, you may have more. From around 24 weeks, your antenatal appointments will usually become more frequent. However, if your pregnancy is uncomplicated and you are in good health, you may not be seen as often as someone who needs to be more closely monitored.
Later visits are usually quite short. Our midwife or doctor will:
• check your urine and blood pressure
• feel your abdomen (tummy) to check the baby's position
• measure your uterus (womb) to check your baby's growth
• listen to your baby's heartbeat if you want them to
You can also ask questions or talk about anything that's worrying you. Talking about your feelings is as important as all the antenatal tests and examinations. You should be given information about:
• your birth plan
• preparing for labour and birth
• how to tell if you're in active labour
• induction of labour if your baby is overdue (after your expected date of delivery)
• the "baby blues" and postnatal depression
• feeding your baby
• vitamin K (which is given to prevent bleeding caused by vitamin K deficiency in your baby)
• screening tests for newborn babies
• looking after yourself and your new baby