Antenatal Care

Booking Visit (8-14 weeks) (cont.)
In most centres, women are offered a first trimester ultrasound scan for pregnancy dating, the exclusion of structural fetal abnormalities and measrement of the fetal nuchal translucency.

A management plan is then drawn up for the pregnancy, based upon the risk assessment. It is by no means inflexible and is subject to alteration at subsequent visits. If the patient has a known medical problem, e.g diabetes, the patient is referred to a dedicated combined clinic. If there is a history of genetic or familial problems, referral to a feto-maternal specialist is arranged.

The mid-trimester risk assessment visit (20-24weeks)
The results of the tests performed at the first trimester visit and at 16 weeks are reviewed with the woman. The results of the ultrasound scan for fetal abnormality are also reviewed. In some centres, Doppler ultrasound screening of the uterine arteries is used to identify women at high risk of subsequent pre-eclampsia (see Ultrasound & Common Obstetric complications) and intra-uterine growth restriction is offered at this stage. Further care is then planned in line with risk assessment based on the ultrasound scan and other findings.