A Guide to Pregnancy and Antenatal Care in the UK

Of course coming to UK will definitely be a big boost for your career, you must have lots of goals set, exams to give, competencies to sign, courses to attend. But to be realistic your priorities aren't and will not remain the same especially if you are planning, starting or caring for a family. And since Family comes first you need to make sure you fully benefit from what this country's NHS offers for a happier healthier and a safer household. I will be writing a bunch of articles highlighting the important aspects. Read on for more information.

Pregnancy

One of the precious gift given to mankind is of reproducing and as complicated as it is, its the most beautiful of an experience. And to make sure it's responsibly done certain protocols and careful management is required throughout pregnancy.

Once pregnancy is suspected or confirmed head over to your GP (to know how to register for a GP, read here). You can get free pregnancy tests at your GP. Pregnancy in UK is usually dealt by midwife under supervision of GP initially and then Obstetricians. Now these midwives are well trained to assess and manage every step of pregnancy, complications are usually dealt by Obstetricians. They can answer your queries, give you tips and look after you because becoming parents is a huge thing and you want the best for your baby. If your GP doesn't have a midwife service then you will be referred to nearest midwifery center. You can also chose a midwife service of your own but make sure you liaise with your GP so all your health details are transferred and your GP remains updated.

Antenatal Care

After sorting your midwife your antenatal care will be started. Antenatal care is the care that pregnant female receives during entire pregnancy to make sure that mother and the baby remains healthy till the birth. If it's the 1st pregnancy that you will have upto 10 antenatal appointments otherwise upto. You may have more depending on your condition. You GP might start you on Folic Acid supplements do some basic blood tests. Your BMI, blood pressure and urine dipstick will be monitored at every visit. These tests ensure that you do not develop some of the concerns that midwife and consultants have: Urine infections, proteins in your urine, uncontrolled weight gain or develop pre eclampsia or eclampsia. Plus if you have any underlying medical conditions you will be monitored for them as well.

Now there are some other specialized tests that are mandatory to carry out.

• Screen for infections diseases: Your blood will be taken to test for HIV, Hep B and syphilis since these diseases can be deadly and detrimental for your baby if passed on so to avoid that they are screened for at around 8-12 weeks of your pregnancy

• Blood group: It's very important one for the obvious reasons that you might need transfusions the other most important one is whether there is a chance of conflict in the yours or baby's Rhesus. You can read more about Rhesus diseases here.

• Ultrasound: Now this forms the back bone of the antenatal care guiding your midwife and your obstetrician on how to proceed with the antenatal care. The 1st scan (dating scan) is done around 8-14 weeks it's to determine whether it's a viable pregnancy and to find out an estimated age of the fetus and to figure out the approximate date if delivery. The 2nd scan will be offered at 18-20 weeks (anomaly scan) this is to figure out whether the fetus is growing alright and has no anomalies of heart, limbs, head or any other physical abnormalities. Now these are the scans that are offered by NHS, you may be subjected to more scans if the consultants feel like you need them otherwise if you plan get more scans for personal reasons like you aren't satisfied or you need a nice 3D / 4D ultrasound pictures of your baby well then you need book those privately because NHS doesn't cover them.

• Placental/Amniotic Fluid testing: Now these are fairly invasive tests not done routinely but these are much needed and diagnostic tests for certain major diseases like Downs Syndrome, Thalassemia or for any suspected chromosomal related abnormalities. These can be done anywhere between 10-21 weeks. If you feel that you have had any such history of complicated baby/child diseases please let your Midwife or Doctor know so that they can get it screen before its too late.

• OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) : This again is a screening test for any development of Gestational Diabetes usually done at around 24-28 weeks

Vaccination 

Is another entity in antenatal care. Usually it's Whopping cough and Inactivated Flu jabs are the ones recommended for all pregnant women by NHS. Other vaccines like Hep B, tetanus and vaccines for travel may or may not be covered by NHS, you will need to speak to your GP about that.

All of your progress will be documented regularly in a set of notes which will be given to you. You need to carry them with every appointment whether it's the GP, midwife or obstetrician or Ultrasound technician. You need to take care of these notes as it has everything and they will need to stay with you till the end of pregnancy, so guard them with your life. 

As you get closer to your due date your appointment will be more frequent, your midwife will regularly check for growth of your baby, assess the baby heart rate. If possible it's best to attend these appointments by both parents. You will also need be advised to take some antenatal classes along with your significant other on handling baby, breastfeeding and other guidance for new parents. Remember there are no wrong or silly questions, if something is on your mind ask your midwife or consultant they will be more than happy to help.

Already Expecting when you enter UK?

Not to worry, while registering with your GP all you need to mention that you are expecting and they will straight away assign you a midwife. Make sure you bring in all your medical documents from back home including any blood tests and/or Ultrasounds. If you were being seen by a consultant there make sure you get a letter written from them briefly explaining your medical history and where you stand in your current pregnancy. If your GP / obstetrician are happy with the stuff from back home then all's good otherwise they might repeat some tests.

Remember all your visits, bloods, tests and most of your prescription are completely free. NHS is a great system and tries it level best to provide you with the best available facilities so please do co operate with them

Further details on how the system works in helping you deliver your bundle of joy will be covered in the next article. So keep following this blog and like and share this page.
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