Your Booking Appointment
Your first appointment with your LMC is also referred to as your “booking appointment” and this usually happens around 10-14 weeks of pregnancy. At this appointment your LMC will make a thorough medical evaluation. It is important to be as honest as possible, because your midwife or doctor will use this information to help determine the level of care that you and your baby need.
She will ask you about:
Your obstetric history—whether you have had any previous pregnancies, complications, or miscarriages.
Your medical history—any previous history of surgeries or adverse medical conditions, and any medication you may currently be taking.
Your partner’s medical history—any history of genetic disorders or birth defects experienced by close family members.
Your family medical history—including any complications during pregnancy or birth that were experienced by close family members.
Your menstrual cycle—Your last menstrual period (LMP) will help determine the due date of your baby. It is helpful to come with this information handy. It is also advisable to let your LMC know whether you were using contraception when you fell pregnant.
Your lifestyle—your LMC will want to know whether you or your partner currently smoke or drink alcohol. Both are associated with birth defects and complications during pregnancy so your LMC will be able to guide you toward resources and support services to help in stopping those habits. She will probably also ask about your current diet, how much you exercise and how much you sleep a night. She may also ask about family violence, your employment situation, or depression. Although these questions are very personal, it is important to answer openly and honestly. Your LMC is there to help and support you and to be an advocate for your baby.
After the initial consultation, your midwife or doctor will perform a physical exam. She will measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure, and may perform measurements of your pregnant belly (fundus) to help determine how far along you are in pregnancy. She may also examine your breasts for lumps, listen to your lungs and heart and examine your legs for varicose veins.
Your LMC will also order blood tests and you will need to arrange to have blood taken. These are to test for things like anaemia, blood type, and rhesus factor. This will also screen for diseases like HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and rubella, which can usually be prevented from transmitting to your baby with early intervention.
