As we explained in Just found out you’re pregnant?, the top priority after a positive test is to book your first appointment and start antenatal care. This is where you confirm everything is on track — and start getting to know the people who will look after you and your baby in the months ahead.
In short
- Book your first appointment by 12 weeks — the earlier, the better.
- Bring the date of your last period, a list of any medicines you take and all your questions.
- Expect a chat about your history, some measurements, blood and urine tests and often an ultrasound.
When to book and how many appointments will I have?
The WHO recommends a first contact in the first trimester (by 12 weeks) and at least eight contacts during pregnancy. In practice, appointments are usually monthly at first and become more frequent in the final month, often weekly close to your due date.
Choosing your doctor
Look for good credentials, but above all someone you feel comfortable and confident with. If you already see a gynaecologist, staying with them is often ideal — they know your history.
If you have health insurance, tell your insurer straight away. Many plans have pregnancy packages covering appointments, scans and the birth.
How should I prepare?
There’s no required preparation, but it helps to bring:
- The first day of your last period (to estimate how far along you are and your due date);
- A list of medicines, vitamins or herbal teas you’ve taken recently;
- Information about illnesses, surgeries or previous pregnancies and family health history;
- Your insurance card and ID;
- All your questions. There’s no such thing as a silly question right now.
What happens at the first appointment?
The first appointment is often really two: at the first, your doctor gets to know you and orders tests; at the second, they review the results and give more specific advice. Every case is different, but it usually includes:
- A conversation about your health history and lifestyle;
- Weight, height and blood pressure;
- Blood and urine tests requested;
- An ultrasound, which together with your last period helps date the pregnancy — and is often when you hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. 🥹
- Advice on supplements (folic acid and iron), diet and malaria prevention;
- Checking or updating your tetanus vaccination if needed.
Which tests are usually ordered?
| Test | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Full blood count | To detect anaemia and other blood changes |
| Blood group and Rh factor | To prevent incompatibility problems with the baby |
| Fasting blood sugar | To screen for diabetes |
| HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C | To treat early and protect the baby from transmission |
| Toxoplasmosis and rubella | To know if you’re immune and which precautions to take |
| Urine test (and culture) | To detect urinary infections, common in pregnancy |
Based on the results, your doctor will guide you on what to do (and avoid) in the first trimester. Later come other scans — such as the first-trimester scan between 11 and 14 weeks — and further tests.
Questions worth asking
- Which supplements should I take, and at what dose?
- Which symptoms are normal, and which are warning signs?
- Can I keep exercising? What kind?
- Which foods should I avoid?
- Are the medicines I take safe?
- How often will we meet, and when is the next scan?
- Who do I call in an emergency?
Bring your partner if you can
If possible, share this experience. Many men seem detached at first, but in my experience their emotion is often even bigger than ours — especially during the scan.
One last thing: no comparisons
It’s lovely to share your experience with pregnant friends and new mums. But remember: every doctor is different and, above all, every pregnancy is different. That’s why trusting your doctor matters so much.
Already thinking about the layette? Read our complete baby layette guide and download the free Pregnancy Checklist.
What was the most emotional moment of your first appointment? Tell us in the comments.
