--- title: "Antenatal care: what’s usually offered" description: "Compare NHS appointments, US prenatal care planned around you and WHO contacts, with ways to plan visits and get help in between." url: "https://myruva.co/learn/antenatal-care-by-region" language: "en-GB" topic: "Pregnancy" published: "2026-10-18" updated: "2026-10-19" author: "Ruva team" reading_minutes: 4 --- # Antenatal care: what’s usually offered Compare NHS appointments, US prenatal care planned around you and WHO contacts, with ways to plan visits and get help in between. *Written and reviewed by the Ruva team · Updated 2026-10-19 · Pregnancy* ## Key points - The NHS offers at least 10 appointments for a first baby, and at least 7 if you’ve given birth before. - In the US, prenatal visits can be planned around your health needs and what you prefer. - WHO recommends at least eight contacts during pregnancy. - You can contact maternity services between planned appointments. Antenatal appointment plans differ between countries, and your care can be shaped around your needs. You can contact your maternity team between appointments. NHS guidance says you don’t have to wait for your next appointment if you’re worried about your health or your baby’s. ## Arranging your first appointment In the UK, tell NHS maternity services you’re pregnant by referring yourself as soon as you know. If you’ve referred yourself but haven’t been given an appointment, contact your local maternity services to ask for one. Your first appointment with a midwife is usually at 8 to 12 weeks. It’s often called the booking appointment. You’ll talk about your health, any past pregnancies, your mental health, and your work and home life. You can ask questions and raise worries. This helps the midwife plan care that suits your needs and wishes. You’ll usually be offered blood pressure and urine checks, and a blood test to find your blood group. Your maternity notes may be kept in an app, a folder or on a secure website. They include your appointments, results and useful phone numbers. The NHS advises keeping them with you until your baby is born, so staff can see your pregnancy information if you need urgent care. ## The NHS appointment pattern The NHS offers at least 10 antenatal appointments for a first baby, and at least 7 if you’ve given birth before. It also offers 2 ultrasound scans. The table below shows the NHS plan. Use the dates your own team gives you. | Stage | What is usually offered | | --- | --- | | 8 to 12 weeks | First midwife or booking appointment. | | 11 to 14 weeks | Dating scan and a talk about screening choices. | | 16 weeks | Wellbeing review, earlier screening results, blood pressure and urine checks. | | 18 to 21 weeks | Mid-pregnancy screening scan. | | 25 weeks | An appointment if this is your first baby. | | 28 weeks | Health review, blood tests and a talk about your baby’s movements. | | 31 weeks | An appointment if this is your first baby. | | 34, 36 and 38 weeks | More checks and talks about the birth. | | 40 and 41 weeks | More checks and a talk about your options if pregnancy carries on. | Later appointments include talks about mental health, your baby’s movements and how you’d like to give birth. You can add these to your list of questions too. If something makes it hard to get to appointments, tell the team what the problem is and ask what they can arrange. ## US care is becoming more personal ACOG’s 2025 guidance supports a care plan shaped around your medical needs, your situation and what you prefer. Its guidance for clinicians describes evidence for eight to nine visits for people without long-term or pregnancy-related conditions. Whether that plan suits you depends on your pregnancy. Some appointments may be by video or phone (telemedicine), or in a group. The plan can change as your pregnancy goes on. It should let you reach a clinician for questions or a check between visits. Ask your obstetric practice which appointments must be in person, how to reach someone out of hours and how a change in your health would change the plan. ## WHO contacts and local arrangements WHO recommends at least eight contacts. Its plan starts in the first 12 weeks, with more contacts at 20, 26, 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 weeks. Each contact includes care and support. Countries can change how care is given to suit their health services and communities. ## Getting help before the next visit Call your midwife or maternity unit now in the UK, your obstetric clinician in the US, or your doctor or midwife elsewhere if your baby is moving less, has stopped moving or has changed its usual pattern. Don’t wait until tomorrow, even at night. To plan your appointments, write down who holds your care plan, when your next visit is and which number to call with urgent worries. Ask the team to explain any part of the plan that isn’t clear. If you’re starting care later than expected, contact the service now to arrange a check. ## When to get help - **Same day:** Call your midwife or maternity unit now (UK), your obstetric clinician (US), or your doctor or midwife elsewhere if your baby moves less, stops moving or its usual pattern changes. Don’t wait until tomorrow, even at night. - **Book an appointment:** Contact local maternity services (UK), your obstetric practice (US), or your doctor or midwife elsewhere to arrange care if you’ve asked for an appointment and haven’t got one. ## Where you live Services and advice differ between countries. - **UK:** NHS care usually starts with a booking appointment at 8 to 12 weeks, with scans at 11 to 14 weeks and 18 to 21 weeks. - **US:** ACOG supports prenatal care planned around each person. Your visit plan can change with your needs and wishes. - **Elsewhere:** WHO recommends at least eight contacts, starting in the first 12 weeks. ## Sources 1. [Antenatal (pregnancy) care and appointments](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-care-and-appointments/), NHS 2. [Tailored Prenatal Care](https://www.acog.org/clinical-information/physician-faqs/tailored-prenatal-care), ACOG 3. [New ACOG Guidance Recommends Transformation to U.S. Prenatal Care Delivery](https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2025/04/new-acog-guidance-recommends-transformation-to-us-prenatal-care-delivery), ACOG 4. [New guidelines on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience](https://www.who.int/news/item/07-11-2016-new-guidelines-on-antenatal-care-for-a-positive-pregnancy-experience), WHO 5. [Your baby's movements](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-babys-movements/), NHS --- This guide is general information to help you keep and use your own records. It isn’t medical advice. If you’re worried about a symptom, or something changes suddenly, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.