13 – 27 weeks
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Appointments, tests and scans
Within the second trimester of your pregnancy (13-27 weeks) you will normally have three appointments.
16 week antenatal midwife appointment
At this appointment your midwife or doctor will talk through the results of screening tests that took place between weeks 11-14. The blood test you had at that appointment will confirm whether your blood is rhesus positive or rhesus negative. If negative, your midwife will talk to you about this and offer to book you in for Anti-D injections. We can now offer you a further blood test to check the baby’s blood group at this appointment. If this shows that the baby’s blood group is rhesus negative you will not need the Anti-D injections.
Your midwife or doctor will give you information about the ultrasound anomaly scan you will be offered at 18-20 weeks. They will also help with any concerns or questions you have.
Your midwife or doctor may also offer to try to hear your baby’s heart beating during your antenatal appointments. It’s difficult to detect a baby’s heartbeat in the first trimester, so in some cases you may be recommended to await your anomaly scan before we listen into the baby’s heartbeat at your antenatal clinic appointments.
Glucose tolerance tests
Some women will also need a glucose tolerance test (GTT) to screen for gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). At your booking appointment your midwife will have asked you questions to assess whether you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes and referred you for the test if necessary. The test is usually done between 24-28 weeks.
If you’ve had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, you’ll be given the test earlier. If it’s negative, the test will be repeated later in the pregnancy. Alternatively, you might be given a blood sugar monitor so that you can check your sugar levels yourself during your pregnancy.
The glucose tolerance test (GTT) takes about two hours. The first blood sample will be taken in the morning, when you have had nothing to eat or drink overnight or the morning of the test. This includes not smoking, using chewing gum or taking any medication (unless its clinically necessary). You will then be given a special glucose drink, and another blood sample will be taken two hours later.
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will be placed under the care of a consultant and a specialist diabetes team to support you and keep you well throughout your pregnancy.
18-20 weeks – Anomaly Scan (detailed scan)
The purpose of this scan is to make sure your baby is developing well and to look for physical abnormalities. The scan only looks for certain problems in your baby and cannot find everything that might be wrong. The sonographer looks in detail at your baby’s bones, heart, brain, spinal cord, face, kidneys and abdomen.
If your baby is in an awkward position, you may be asked to go away and come back the same day or to attend for another appointment entirely. This will usually be because the sonographer has not been able to clearly visualise a part of your baby. It does not mean they have found a problem. If a problem has been identified, you will be given support and an appropriate care plan will be developed.
Boy or girl?
It may be possible to tell whether you’re having a girl or boy, but this is not guaranteed.
Scan photos
It’s exciting for you expecting parents to see the baby on the screen and you will usually be able to purchase some pictures from your ultrasound. The cost of these is usually supplied with your appointment letter.
To make sure that you receive the best possible care, children will no longer be able to attend antenatal scans. If you are concerned about this, please discuss it with your midwife.
More information on anomaly scans:
25 week routine pregnancy appointment
If this is your first baby or if you have been identified as needing additional observation, you will have a routine appointment with your midwife at 25 weeks.
At this appointment your midwife or doctor will:
When will you be seen
Overview of appointments, tests and scans for women under midwife-led care:
Early pregnancy
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 8-10 weeks | Booking appointment and blood tests |
| 11-14 weeks | Scans and blood tests |
Mid pregnancy
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 16 weeks | Follow up with midwife to check scans and blood tests and glucose tolerance test if needed |
| 18-20 weeks | Detailed scan (Anomaly) |
| 25 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment* |
Late pregnancy
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 28 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment and blood test – MAT B1 given
Anti-D given/organised if required |
| 28 – 34 weeks | Health visitor visit |
| 31 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment* |
| 34 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment |
| 36 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment – birth plan should be completed by now |
| 38 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment |
| 40 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment* |
| 41 weeks | Routine pregnancy appointment and induction of labour arranged |
*First time mums or enhanced care only
Please note: visits may be made by a midwife or a maternity support worker.
To make sure that you receive the best possible care, children will no longer be able to attend antenatal scans. This video explains why this is necessary – if you are concerned about this, please discuss it with your Midwife.