Weeks 4 to 12, what happens next?
If you’re wondering what happens once you have a positive pregnancy test, here’s what you might expect in these early weeks.
It’s best to see your midwife or doctor as early as possible to get the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy. If you live in Medway and are thinking about having your baby at Medway Maritime Hospital, please complete the online self-referral form.
You should complete this form as soon as possible after confirming your pregnancy with a positive pregnancy test so it gives the Medway maternity services the best opportunity to arrange your first appointment for between 8 and 10 weeks of pregnancy.
For all Kent parents outside of Medway, please visit the maternity pages of your local hospital.
The first trimester
from 4 – 12 weeks pregnant
How often will you see a midwife?
Throughout your pregnancy, you will have regular appointments to meet with a midwife. Your antenatal appointments usually follow this format:
8 to 12 weeks: booking appointment
Some tests, such as screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia, should be done before you’re 10 weeks pregnant.
At your book appointment your midwife should give you information about:
- how the baby develops during pregnancy
- nutrition and diet
- exercise and pelvic floor exercises
- antenatal screening tests
- your antenatal care
- breastfeeding, including workshops
- antenatal education
- maternity benefits
- your options for where to have your baby
Your midwife should:
- give you your handheld notes and plan of care
- see if you may need additional care or support
- plan the care you’ll get throughout your pregnancy
- identify any potential risks associated with any work you may do
- measure your height and weight, and calculate your body mass index (BMI)
- measure your blood pressure and test your urine for protein
- find out whether you’re at increased risk of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
- offer you screening tests and make sure you understand what’s involved before you decide to have any of them
11 to 14 weeks: dating scan
You should receive an appointment to your first ultrasound during these weeks. This is the ultrasound scan to estimate when your baby is due, check the physical development of your baby, and screen for possible conditions, including Down’s syndrome.
Find out more about what to expect during the 2nd trimester.