Antenatal care is the care you receive from health professionals during pregnancy. You'll be offered appointments with a midwife, or sometimes a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and birth (an obstetrician). It is a good idea to start your antenatal care as soon as possible once you know you're pregnant. The midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care will:
- check the health of you and your baby,
- give you useful information to help you have a healthy pregnancy, including advice about healthy eating and exercise,
- discuss your options and choices for your care during pregnancy, labour and birth and
- answer any questions you may have
Your healthcare team profile
While you're pregnant, you'll normally see a small number of healthcare professionals. They want to make you feel as comfortable as possible while you're pregnant and when you have your baby. You may want to get to know the people caring for you during pregnancy and the birth of your baby:
A midwife: Midwives are specially trained to care for mothers and babies throughout normal pregnancy, labour and after the birth. They provide care in hospital or at home. A midwife will look after you during labour if everything is straightforward, and they'll probably deliver your baby. If any complications develop during your pregnancy or delivery, you'll see a doctor as well as being cared for by your midwife.
An obstetrician: An obstetrician is a doctor who specialises in care during pregnancy, labour and after birth. In some hospitals, you'll automatically see an obstetrician. In others, your midwife or GP will refer you to an obstetrician if they have any concerns about your pregnancy – for example, you had a previous complication in pregnancy or have a long-term illness.
An anaesthetist: An anaesthetist is a doctor who specialises in providing pain relief and anaesthesia. For example, if you decide to have an epidural for pain relief during labour or if you require a caesarean section, an anaesthetist will provide the appropriate anaesthesia.
A paediatrician: A paediatrician is a doctor specialising in the care of babies and children. They may check your baby after the birth to make sure everything is OK, and they'll be present when your baby is born if you've had a difficult labour.
A neonatal nurse: Neonatal nurses are specially trained to care for babies who are premature or unwell when they're born. They usually work within specialist neonatal units in the hospital or in the community.
A sonographer: A sonographer will perform your 12-week scan, 20-week scan and your screening test for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome.
An obstetric physiotherapist: These health professionals are trained to help you cope with physical changes during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
A health visitor: Health visitors are trained nurses who support and educate families from pregnancy through to a child's 5th birthday. You may meet your health visitor before the birth of your baby and in the first few weeks after the birth.