Your Antenatal Appointments
The schedule of NHS antenatal appointments and scans offered during pregnancy, and what each one covers.
Last updated: 6 September 2026
What it is about
Antenatal care is the care you get from a midwife, and a doctor if you need one, throughout your pregnancy. It's there to help keep you and your baby healthy, and to catch anything that needs extra attention early. If you haven't yet told NHS maternity services you're pregnant, you can refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care as soon as you know.
If you're pregnant for the first time, you'll usually be offered at least 10 appointments plus 2 ultrasound scans. If you've given birth before, you'll usually have fewer, since you don't need checking as often as the first time round.
Your appointment schedule
8 to 12 weeks: the booking appointment
Your first appointment with a midwife, usually around an hour. They'll ask about your health, your previous pregnancies if any, and your home situation, and offer screening tests and information on your options for giving birth. They'll check your blood pressure and offer a blood test to check your blood group, watching for things like high blood pressure in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. They'll also ask some sensitive questions to check if you need extra support, including around domestic abuse and female genital mutilation (FGM).
11 to 14 weeks: the dating scan
An ultrasound scan to confirm when your baby is due and check their early development. You'll also be offered screening for Down's, Edwards' and Patau's syndrome here, and it's entirely your choice whether to have it.
16 weeks
A shorter check-in. Your midwife will discuss your previous screening results, check your blood pressure and urine, and let you know what to expect at your next scan.
18 to 21 weeks: the 20-week screening scan
An ultrasound scan to check your baby's development in more detail. See the 20-week screening scan guide for what it covers.
25 weeks: first pregnancies only
A check-in covering your health and wellbeing, your baby's growth and movements, your mental health, and your choices for giving birth.
28 weeks
Alongside the usual health and wellbeing checks, you'll be offered a blood test and, if your baby is at risk of rhesus disease, an injection to protect them. If you're at higher risk of gestational diabetes, you'll also be offered testing for it between 24 and 28 weeks.
31 weeks: first pregnancies only
A further check-in, with a focus on preparing for the birth and knowing when you're in labour.
34, 36 and 38 weeks
Regular check-ins covering your health, your baby's growth, movements and position, and your preferences for the birth.
40 weeks
A check-in that also covers your choices if you're still pregnant past your due date.
41 weeks: if you're still pregnant
The same checks again, plus a conversation about your options. The Best Start in Life week 41 guide has more on what to expect.
Every pregnancy is different, so your midwife may offer more or fewer appointments than this based on your own health and your baby's.
What you benefit from
Each appointment is a chance to catch anything that needs attention early, ask questions, and get ready for the birth. If you have a partner, they're welcome to come along too. You don't need to wait for your next appointment if something's worrying you. You can contact your maternity service at any time.