Your antenatal care
Antenatal care is the care you get from health professionals during your pregnancy.
It's sometimes called pregnancy care or maternity care.
You'll be offered appointments with a midwife, or sometimes a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and
birth (an obstetrician).
You should start your antenatal care as soon as possible once you know you're pregnant. You can do
this by contacting a midwife or GP.
What is antenatal care?
This is the care you receive while you're pregnant to make sure you and your baby are as well as
possible.
The midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care will:
- Check the health of you and your baby.
- Give you useful information to help you have a healthy pregnancy, including advice about healthy
eating and exercise.
- Discuss your options and choices for your care during pregnancy, labour and birth.
- Answer any questions you may have.
