Seeing a midwife or gynaecologist during pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you can make an appointment with a midwifeMidwifeA trained person who helps a pregnant woman before, during and after delivery.…Read more in your area. The midwife will confirm the pregnancyPregnancyThe time when a woman is expecting a baby. The pregnancy begins when…Read more with an ultrasound. If needed they will refer you to a gynaecologistGynaecologistDoctor specializing in health care during pregnancy, contraception and women's diseases. A gynaecologist…Read more.
The midwife or gynaecologist will monitor you and the foetusFoetusFertilized egg when showing the main features of a baby (after the 3rd month…Read more during your entire pregnancy.
Make an appointment with a midwife or gyanecologist to confirm your pregnancy.
Regular check-ups
At the first check-up, the midwife or gynaecologist will:
- Ask questions about you, your partnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more, your family, previous pregnancies and the date of your last menstruationMenstruationThe loss of blood once a month through a woman's vagina. Menstruation lasts…Read more to find out more about your pregnancy.
- Check your weight and bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more pressure;
- Inform you about extra tests you can have to check whether the baby has chromosomal abnormality (NIPT – blood will be withdrawn from your arm and researched) or other physical abnormalities (SEO – an ultrasound). The parents choose whether they want these tests or not. If you want, a midwife can also do an ultrasound to determine how long you have been pregnant.
During later check-ups, the midwife or gynaecologist will:
- Ask how you are doing and answer your questions
- Check your weight and blood pressure
- Check the growth of the baby and listen to its heartbeat
- Provide information about the pregnancy and deliveryDeliveryThe process of giving birth to a baby.Read more
In the last months of pregnancy, the position of your child in the womb will be checked.
The midwife or gynaecologist carries out at least an ultrasound scan during pregnancy.
The midwife listens regularly to the heartbeat of the baby
Contact your midwife or gynaecologist
There situations in which you need to contact your midwife or gynaecologist (immediately), namely if:
- you fall on your belly;
- you feel a heavy pain in your belly;
- you have a persistent feverFeverHigh temperature of the body (higher than 38°C - 100.4°F).Read more;
- you lose blood through your vaginaVaginaPart of the inner sexual organs of a woman. The vagina connects the…Read more;
- you lose a lot of weight;
- you lose amniotic fluidAmniotic fluidFluid surrounding the foetus in the uterus. The amniotic fluid protects the foetus.…Read more;
- have a lot of vaginal dischargeVaginal dischargeColourless or white fluid from the vagina. This is normal. The fluid prevents…Read more with a nasty smell;
- you cannot clearly feel the baby moving after 26 weeks;
- you have regular contractions.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you fall on your belly.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you feel a heavy pain in your belly.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you have a persistent fever.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you lose blood from your vagina.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you lose a lot of weight.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you lose fluid from your vagina.
Immediately contact your midwife or gynaecologist if you have a lot of white vaginal discharge with a nasty smell.
Partner violencePartner violenceWhen somebody hurts, humiliates or neglects his or her partner or coerces his/her partner…Read more during pregnancy
Partner violence is any form of violence between 2 people in a relationshipRelationshipWhen 2 people are in a relationship, they have a bond with each…Read more. Partner violence is forbidden by lawLawRules which decide what you may and may not do. Every country has…Read more.
Partner violence during pregnancy can cause healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more problems to both mother and foetus. The problems can be physical or psychological. For instance: stress, bleeding, high blood pressure, premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriageMiscarriageA woman has a miscarriage when she delivers and the foetus is not…Read more.
Ask your midwife, gynaecologist or general practitioner for help if you experience partner violence during pregnancy.
In an emergency, call 112.