Booking Your Antenatal Appointments
The earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy, for women who have regular monthly periods, is when one is missed. There are also several other signs of pregnancy-
- Feeling sick
- Breast- tenderness, increase in breast size
- Needing to pass water more often- in the absence of pain or offensive smell
- Being constipated
- An increase in vaginal secretions- in the absence of blood, pain or irritation, offensive smelling
- Feeling tired
- Having a strange taste in your mouth
- "Going off " certain foods
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To find out if you are pregnant you can perform a pregnancy test. This can be done at home, at a family planning clinic or at your GP practice.
Once you know you are pregnant you need to visit your GP who will advice you on the maternity care available in your area and if you wish refer you to a midwife for antenatal care.
This Web site explains what services are on offer at the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust and will probably answer many questions you may have about maternity care.
Antenatal care is provided here at the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust for the women of Liverpool, Sefton and Kirkby and in some cases for women out of the area who require specialist antenatal care.
If you have chosen to have maternity care at the LWH you will be invited to attend the antenatal clinic at around the 12-week of your pregnancy when your individual plan of care will be discussed with you, this is commonly known as your BOOKING APPOINTMENT.
Having a baby is a family event and your partner and children may accompany you if you so wish. On arrival to the clinic you should report to the reception desk. Here you will be asked to confirm the details already sent to the hospital by your GP. You will then be seen by a midwife who will discuss your pregnancy with you. This will be done in a consulting room to ensure complete privacy.
The midwife will need to know:-
- Your medical history any other pregnancies you may have had
- Your general health
- Your family history
- Your ethnic origin
- What your expectations are for this pregnancy
- Any worries or concerns you may have
This information will allow you and your midwife to plan your pregnancy and meet your individual needs. The LWH offers many services to you and your partner during your pregnancy. There a midwives and specialists who can offer, if required counselling, specialist antenatal services, advice on diet, exercise, alcohol or smoking cessation, support for women and families with disability needs and specialist care for women with complex medical problems.
Antenatal breastfeeding workshops are available for women and partners/support person from 28 weeks. To book contact Antenatal reception 0151 702 4180.
The midwife will take some blood and ask you to provide a sample of urine. This is to perform routine antenatal screening. /newimg_001.jpg)
An ultrasound scan will also be performed which gives the midwife a predicted delivery date for your baby and confirms that there is a heart beat. You will also be provided with your first ultrasound picture which shows the baby in your womb. It will also show if you are having twins or triplets.
All your details will be kept on the hospitals computer system and a copy will be given to you. You will keep these in your hand held records throughout your pregnancy and be asked to bring them with you to every clinic or hospital visit. These are your records so you are aware of what is happening and what to expect. There is an Infant feeding antenatal checklist in your hand held notes. Discussion regarding the benefits of breastfeeding will be commenced at your booking visit.
Your booking appointment may last around 90 minutes so there is provision in the clinic for refreshments from a small tea bar, a children's play area and baby changing facilities. The clinic is open between 08.00 - 17.00 Monday to Friday. Contact number is tel: 0151 702 4180 / 4178.
