Antenatal appointments and scans

Appointments and scans

At our antenatal clinic, we monitor and promote the wellbeing of mother and unborn baby. Midwives and doctors provide information and advice as well as monitoring, consultation and any necessary treatment.

We provide antenatal care for all women in our care. Antenatal clinics and hospital consultations are available at Hillingdon Hospital, and you can also receive support from midwives and GPs at home.

Antenatal tests

Many routine tests are offered to women during the course of their pregnancy. Blood tests are offered early on to screen for infections that could affect the baby and to check the woman's blood group. Urine tests check for infections, protein and sugar. Ultrasound scans determine the position of the placenta and look for any physical problem that could affect the baby or delivery. Women may also be offered a variety of other screening tests.

Antenatal care and appointments

Your antenatal appointments at Hillingdon will vary according to your specific pregnancy needs. 
All antenatal appointments are held in the Antenatal Clinic at Hillingdon Hospital or at a Children’s Centre in the local area, your appointment letters will tell you where to go. Sometimes you may have to attend Day Assessment Unit (DAU) for additional monitoring 
 
You can expect to have an appointment at: 

  • Booking  

  • 12 week dating scan 

  • 16 weeks 

  • 20 week anomaly scan 

  • 25 weeks (1st pregnancy only) 

  • 28 weeks 

  • 31 weeks (1st pregnancy only) 

  • 34 weeks 

  • 36 weeks 

  • 38 weeks 

  • 40 weeks 

If this is your first pregnancy - you will have a minimum of 9 antenatal checks/appointments by a Midwife or Doctor before your due date  
If you’ve had a baby before – you won’t need a routine 25 or 31 week appointment 

Please note: your appointment date may not be exactly on the times above and you may have additional appointments where there is a need in your pregnancy, for example if you develop any problems or are over your due date.

Screening and scans

The Antenatal and Newborn National Screening Programme offers all pregnant people a variety of screening tests, which gives the opportunity to identify where people are at higher chance of a health problem 

The screening tests are completed by blood tests and scans, or both. Your midwife will discuss these with you before you make a decision to have them or not 

You will be offered screening for: 

  • Hepatitis B, HIV and Syphilis 

  • Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia 

  • Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, Patau’s syndrome 

  • Anomaly scan (Screening for 11 conditions) 

For further information about these screening tests, please click the links below: 

Public Health England screening timeline

NHS screening tests in pregnancy

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