Your appointments

Your appointment schedule will vary depending on who is looking after you during your pregnancy. This is discussed in your first hospital appointment.

Your first appointment

Once the hospital receives your pregnancy referral, you will be sent a letter with your first appointment date and information about the different maternity care options.

Your antenatal care at the Royal

Find out where you need to go and what you need to know for your antenatal care at our hospital.

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Where to go

Your first hospital appointment will be at the Maternity Outpatients Department, located on the ground floor of the Ned Hanlon Building.

What to expect

At your appointment you will be asked to complete some paperwork, check your weight and provide a urine sample. Your midwife will discuss your pregnancy, care options and give you a Pregnancy Health Record, which you will bring to all your appointments. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions about your pregnancy and birth.

At your appointment, your midwife may:

• discuss your medical history
• listen to your baby’s heart beat
• take your blood pressure
• discuss online resources (GLOW)
• develop a plan for your care
• provide healthy eating advice.

If you’re above a healthy weight pre-pregnancy (BMI>25kg/m²) or gaining weight quickly during pregnancy, you can register or your GP can refer you to our Living Well During Pregnancy Program. This is a free telephone coaching program that supports you to live a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy

Follow-up appointments

Further appointments will be organised by your midwife according to the care option you choose. Your visits are a great way to learn about how your baby is growing and what is happening to your body.

At your visits, you may have:

• your blood pressure checked
• your GP or midwife will palpate (feel) your abdomen to see how much your baby has grown and listen to your baby’s heartbeat
• on some occasions you may be weighed, have blood taken for tests and have your urine checked.

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