At around 8 weeks of pregnancy you come in for your first appointment. We take our time over it: the appointment lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. Together we go through your health and your pregnancy, make a scan, and talk about what comes next.
What to bring
- valid proof of identity (passport or ID card)
- your health insurance card
- information about any previous pregnancies
The subjects we go through include:
- your personal details
- your medical history, including any medication you take
- the father's personal details
- congenital and hereditary conditions in the family
- the course of any earlier pregnancies
- your menstrual cycle
- your lifestyle
We also make an ultrasound scan to establish that you are pregnant, whether there is one baby or more, and whether the heart is beating. Because this is early in the pregnancy, the scan is made vaginally.
In addition we measure your blood pressure and give you a referral for a blood test. That establishes your blood group and rhesus factor, and checks your blood for antibodies, for anaemia, and for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis.
You will also be given information about screening for chromosomal and physical conditions in the unborn child. There is more at www.pns.nl (in Dutch).
Once all of this has been gathered, we can make a first assessment of any risks for the rest of your pregnancy. It may also show that extra tests are needed later on, such as a glucose test or a growth scan.