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How to have conversations with healthcare professionals
Talking to health professionals can be daunting. They have so much experience, and you don’t want to bother them with ‘silly’ questions. But remember – there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your health and your baby’s wellbeing. All questions are valid!
Whether you’re seeing a midwife, GP, consultant or health visitor, they are there to offer advice and support and to answer any questions you have throughout your pregnancy. By speaking up, you help ensure the best possible care for yourself and your baby, so don’t be afraid to advocate for your needs – you deserve to be heard.
What questions to ask your healthcare provider
When you attend a booking in appointment with your midwife, they will run through a number of questions about your health, family history, previous pregnancies, etc. Their aim is to get a picture of your risk factors, so that they can design the right care path for you. However, this appointment is also an opportunity for you to ask your questions. It might be easiest to write these down before you go, so you don’t forget any. The below is a list of questions you might like to ask, grouped by trimester for ease. (This is just a suggestion and many of these questions will probably be answered during the course of your appointment.)
First Trimester (0–12 weeks)
Booking Appointment (8–10 weeks) – Midwife
- What appointments should I expect throughout my pregnancy?
- Am I at risk for any complications or conditions?
- What tests will I have during pregnancy?
- What symptoms are normal, and which ones should I be concerned about? At what point should I reach out to a healthcare professional?
- How can I relieve pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue?
- Which over-the-counter medications are safe to use during pregnancy?
- What vitamins or supplements should I take?
- What foods should I avoid?
- What exercise is safe for me to carry out?
- How do I arrange my scans and future appointments?
- How do I contact a midwife if I have questions between appointments?
- What support is available for mental health during pregnancy?
Dating Scan (12 weeks) – Ultrasound
- How accurate is the estimated due date?
- When should I be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat?
- What can I expect to see on the scan?
- Are there any concerns with my baby’s development?
- Can I have a photo or video of the scan?
- What happens next in my maternity care?
Second Trimester (13–27 weeks)
16-Week Midwife Appointment
- How are my blood test results from my booking appointment?
- What symptoms should I expect in the second trimester?
- Can I start feeling baby movements soon?
- When should I be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat?
- When should I start thinking about birth plans?
- What antenatal classes are available?
- What exercise is safe to carry out?
20-Week Scan (Anomaly Scan) – Ultrasound
- What does this scan check for?
- Can I find out the baby’s sex?
- If something unusual is detected, what happens next?
- Is my baby’s growth on track?
- Can I get another scan if I want to see my baby again later in pregnancy?
25-Week Midwife Appointment (First Pregnancy Only)
- How is my baby’s growth and development?
- What foods should I avoid or eat more of?
- What exercise is safe for me to carry out?
- How do I recognise early signs of preterm labour?
- What position is my baby in?
- What should I do if I experience swelling or other unusual symptoms?
Third Trimester (28–40 weeks)
28-Week Midwife Appointment
- What do my blood test results show (iron levels, gestational diabetes, etc.)?
- Should I get the whooping cough vaccine?
- How can I manage back pain and other discomforts?
- How often should I feel my baby move?
- What should I do if my baby’s movements change?
- What are my delivery options?
31-Week Midwife Appointment (First Pregnancy Only)
- How is my baby’s growth and position?
- What should I include in my birth plan?
- What are my pain relief options for labour?
- How can I prepare for breastfeeding?
34-Week Midwife Appointment
- What happens if my baby is in the breech position?
- What are my delivery options?
- How do I recognise signs of early labour?
- What should I pack in my hospital bag?
- When should I stop working and start maternity leave?
- What are my birth options (home birth, birth centre, hospital)?
36-Week Midwife Appointment
- How can I encourage my baby into the best position for birth?
- What are my delivery options?
- What are the signs that labour is starting?
- When should I call the hospital or birth centre?
- What happens if my baby is still breech?
- Should I expect any more scans before birth?
38-Week Midwife Appointment
- What are my options if I go overdue?
- Can/Should I request a membrane sweep to help start labour?
- How do I prepare for labour at home?
- What are the risks and benefits of induction?
- Should I be concerned about Braxton Hicks contractions?
40-Week Midwife Appointment
- What happens if I go past my due date?
- What natural methods might help encourage labour?
- When would induction be recommended?
- How long after birth do I stay in hospital?
- What support is available for postpartum recovery and mental health?
Knowing your rights
As a pregnant mother, you have the right to choose where to give birth and who to have with you when you give birth. You also have the right to physical autonomy and integrity – meaning you should be asked for your consent to treatment, unless you are medically unable to give consent.
This sounds intimidating, but what it means in practice is, for example, if you get to 40 weeks pregnant and your midwife suggests a sweep, it is for you to decide whether or not this is something you want.
You also have the right to sufficient, objective and unbiased information to enable you to make an informed choice. This applies throughout pregnancy, labour and delivery – and beyond. So, if you feel like you’re not getting enough information from your midwife or health professional, say so.
Writing a birth plan will help ensure you have your preferences in a form you can pass to your healthcare professionals to articulate your wants and needs when you can’t. You should also make sure your birth partner is familiar with your birth plan and your rights, so they can advocate for you if needed.
How to make sure your questions are answered
If you’re finding it difficult to get all the information you need from your appointments, hand a copy of your questions to your healthcare professional at the beginning of the appointment, so they can make sure they get through them all before you leave.
If there is something you feel strongly about, but you feel you are not being heard, take someone with you into your appointment to help bolster your confidence and advocate for you if you are struggling. You have the right to ask to see someone else if you feel like you have not connected with your regular midwife.
If you still have concerns, there are organisations that can help. Try Birthrightsfor advice and resources that may help you secure the right support or make a complaint.
