Your first ante-natal appointment would last approx 1 ½ - 2 hours, and take place in your own home. During the visit I would:
take a detailed medical, family, obstetric and lifestyle history
do a physical check, including blood pressure, urinalysis??? Abdominal palpation and foetal heart rate if appropriate.
discuss nutrition, exercise and all aspects of pregnancy care.
Subsequent ante-natal visits would last approximately 1 hour. Visits would be:
monthly until 28 weeks,
fortnightly until 36 weeks,
then weekly until delivery.
During a visit, I would:
check mother and baby’s physical condition
Take mother’s blood pressure, a urine test, as ell as
assess uterus growth and baby’s size position and growth
check foetal heart rate.
These visits would also allow plenty of time to:
give advice on ante natal health and lifestyle
discuss contacts for ant-natal classes, complimentary therapists and other birth resources.
A large part of ante-natal care involves answering your questions, reassuring you and giving you the confidence to give birth at home with little of no pain relief.
