Firstly, congratulations! We know pregnancy can be as daunting as it is exciting. But we are happy to play a part in making sure you and your baby receive the best care possible.
This page covers the services you'll get from Babylon GP at Hand during your pregnancy. It will provide you with some information about what to expect during your antenatal care over the 9 month journey ahead.
Once you find out you are pregnant, you can make a digital appointment to speak to one of our GP at Hand doctors. During this appointment, they'll explain what your options are regarding antenatal care and point you in the right direction so that you can self-refer online.
It is important that this is done as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
Antenatal care is often shared between midwives and GPs. This however depends on the maternity unit you book with. Some midwives carry out all antenatal care without any routine GP appointments.
You will receive your first midwife appointment (called the booking appointment) at approximately 8-12 weeks. At your booking appointment it will be made clear whether subsequent appointments will be split between the maternity unit and your GP, or whether all will be done by the midwife.
During your pregnancy you will need to attend at least 11 face-to-face antenatal appointments (if this is your first baby) or 9 face-to-face appointments (if you’ve had a baby before). Some of these appointments will be at a hospital, and some with your midwife. In some cases, midwives share care with your GP. Therefore if your midwife plans to share care with Babylon GP at Hand you may want to consider certain factors, such as:
If you have decided on a shared care pathway where our GPs will see you for some of the appointments, you can be confident that all our GPs are trained in how to do antenatal assessments. They will work together with your midwife to look after you and your baby.
In the case that your maternity unit takes care of all your antenatal appointments and does not share care, it is still important to consider the distance between your home and our clinics. There may be other reasons you need to see a GP during your pregnancy or after birth, for example your 6 week check and baby’s immunisations.
If you have any questions about whether the service is right for you, give us a call 0330 8082217
The GP will go through:
They will also be able to discuss what your antenatal care options are. They'll refer you to the maternity unit of your choice or point you in the right direction of where you can self-refer online.
At the hospital or midwifery unit
This will include a general health assessment; measurement of your height, weight and blood pressure. General blood tests taken and screening tests offered. You may be offered the Flu vaccination depending upon the time of year.
At the hospital
This ultrasound scan will be used to calculate your estimated date of delivery. It will be used alongside screening blood tests to calculate the chances of Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome, if you consented for this screening.
Midwife or GP (if shared care)
Some basic physical checks including blood pressure and urine will be done. Along with a discussion regarding your pregnancy and antenatal classes. Your booking appointment blood test results will be discussed at this appointment too.
At the hospital
Your sonographer will carry out a very detailed ultrasound scan of your baby. They'll look in detail at your baby's bones, heart, brain, spinal cord, face, kidneys and abdomen.
Midwife or GP (if shared care)
Your blood pressure and urine will be checked as usual. The size of your abdomen will be measured to see how the baby is growing.
Midwife
Your midwife will do the same checks as at 25 weeks, plus you will need some routine blood tests to check if you are anaemic. You will be offered your first anti-D treatment if you are rhesus negative.
Midwife or GP (if shared care)
The same routine checks will be done as at 25 weeks. Your healthcare professional will also discuss any results of the tests that you had done at 28 weeks.
Midwife
The same routine checks as at 25 weeks will be repeated. Your midwife will also begin to discuss birth options with you at this stage. If you are rhesus negative, a second dose of anti-D will be offered at this appointment.
Midwife or GP (if shared care)
This appointment will include the usual blood pressure, urine and measurement of your abdomen. Your blood results will be checked, Your bump will be examined to see if your baby is lying head down or bottom down (breech).
Midwife or GP (if shared care)
Alongside the usual blood pressure, urine and size of abdomen checks, your health care professional will go over what to expect over the last few weeks of your pregnancy. This will include what happens if your baby hasn’t arrived by 42 weeks.
Midwife
Blood pressure, urine and size of your abdomen will be checked. You’ll discuss your birth options and explain what happens next now that your baby is over 40 weeks gestation.
Midwife
Your midwife will check your blood pressure, urine and size of abdomen. She will then offer you a membrane sweep and discuss the option of induction and your preferences around this.
For more routine information regarding pregnancy, please visit: