Antenatal care

A comprehensive care of mom and baby from conception to delivery

Here’s the care that you can expect at NMC Royal Women’s Hospital Antenatal visits

It would be a pleasure to see you when you have missed you period or when your pregnancy test has shown a positive result. This could be up to 12 weeks into the pregnancy and is also called 1st trimester.

Your antenatal care visits will be guided by the healthcare provider to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby. Your pregnancy plan will be expertly managed, from the day you come to the clinic to the day you deliver and beyond

  • Your first visit may be a little longer than your other visits, so allow plenty of time for discussion regarding your pregnancy
  • Enjoy the special time from the very beginning, we welcome and encourage your partner to accompany you during your visits

In antenatal clinic the nurse will meet and greet you and will ask you a few questions which are important. She will also test your urine, obtain weight, height and record your blood pressure, on an antenatal record card. This card will have information about yourself and baby’s progress

All consultations and updates shall be added to it at every visit, hence please remember to bring the card with you

During the visit, your care provider will be happy to do the following:

  • Answer your questions and share concerns
  • The 1st day of your last menstrual period may help determine your date for delivery. A scan may also be performed should you be unsure of your dates. Any change on the data based on the scan, shall be discussed
  • You will be asked about your health, including previous conditions, prior surgery and previous pregnancy, if any. You will be asked about your lifestyle, consuming any medication including smoking of any substance, alcohol consumption, drugs and exercise
  • Do expect to be asked about your family history and general history as well as any genetic disorders
  • These little, but significant pieces of information help build a baseline picture of your pregnancy, and how it may progress
  • Prenatal screening bloods will be explained to you. Some of the blood tests are mandatory, such as HIV screening, which your medical insurance may pay for, whilst some tests are important, but your insurance may not pay for, such as genetic screening
  • Your doctor will arrange for ultrasound scans. These are typically 1st trimester and anomaly scans, which is between 11-13 weeks and 18-22 weeks. Any other scan may be done as required by your doctor
  • A complete physical examination may be performed. Iron and vitamin supplements and diet medication may be prescribed by your doctor
  • Your visits will be monthly until you are 28 weeks, when will need to see your care provider every 2 weeks until 36 weeks and weekly from 36 weeks to the time of deliver
  • At certain stages your baby will be monitored by an electronic heart rate monitor
  • You will also be asked to keep a record of your baby’s movements after 28 weeks and bring the written recording to the care provider
  • Your care provider will be happy to discuss your birth plan with you
  • Antenatal talks include topics such as:
    • Common problems in the pregnancy
    • Warning signs
    • Guide you and your partner on what to expect during pregnancy and childbirth
    • Breast/bottle feeding and care for your baby after delivery
    • Newborn care
    • Breast and self-care
    • Nutrition during pregnancy
    • Exercises during pregnancy
    • Information on cord blood banking