Key facts:
- Only 62% of first appointments with maternity services happened within 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2023/24. NHS England
- Nearly 60,000 newly pregnant women have used the online self-referral since rollout. Digital Health
- Over three-quarters of NHS Trusts are now connected to the self-referral service. Digital Health
- This change could reduce ~180,000 GP calls and up to 30,000 GP appointments per year by removing unnecessary steps. NHS England
Kate Brintworth, NHS Chief Midwife, said:
“It’s so important that newly pregnant women get the support they need as soon as possible, so this new tool makes it easier than ever to book that all-important first maternity care appointment.” NHS England
Why Early Maternity Care Matters
Getting in touch with a midwife early isn’t just about formalities—there are important health, emotional, and logistical reasons:
- Health screenings & risk identification
Early maternity care allows for blood tests, screening for conditions like HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, sickle cell/thalassaemia, and checks for high blood pressure and urine tests for signs of pre‐eclampsia. Early detection helps manage risks. nhs.uk - Planning personalised care
During the first appointment (often called the “booking appointment”), midwives collect detailed health history (including physical and mental health), prior pregnancies, medications, and living situation. This helps build a care plan suited to you. nhs.uk - Establishing contact & support early
Early appointments are an opportunity to ask questions, address worries (mental health, lifestyle, etc.), and find out what support services are available. This can reduce anxiety and help parents feel more informed and less alone. tommys.org - Timely scans & tests
Some tests and scans are time-sensitive. For example, screening for certain conditions needs to happen before certain weeks; early appointment ensures you don’t miss those windows. nhs.uk - Better outcomes
According to guidelines reviewed by NICE, earlier antenatal care is associated with improved outcomes for both mother and baby, especially for high-risk pregnancies (chronic conditions, older maternal age, etc.). NCBI
What to Expect in the First Midwife Appointment
Your first midwife meeting—often called the booking appointment—usually takes place when you’re around 8 to 10 weeks pregnant, but you can arrange it as soon as you know you’re expecting. It typically lasts about an hour, giving plenty of time to cover your health, lifestyle, and any questions you may have.
The midwife will start by asking about your medical history, including any previous pregnancies, current medications, family health conditions, and aspects of your daily life such as diet, exercise, smoking, or alcohol use. They’ll also discuss your mental health and support network, because emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health during pregnancy.
You can expect some routine checks, such as measuring your height and weight to calculate BMI, taking your blood pressure, and collecting urine and blood samples. These tests look for things like infections, blood group and antibodies, and conditions such as sickle cell or thalassaemia where relevant.
The midwife will explain the next steps in your pregnancy care, including information about screening tests, recommended vaccinations, and upcoming scans. They’ll also talk about your options for where to give birth and any local classes or support services. Before you leave, you’ll receive your maternity notes—either a paper booklet or access to a digital app—which will contain all your test results and appointment details. Keep these records safe and bring them to every appointment.
It’s a good idea to write down any questions beforehand and be as open as you can about your lifestyle or worries. Your midwife is there to support you, not judge, and this early appointment is the perfect opportunity to start building a trusting relationship for the months ahead.
What’s Changed with the Self-Referral System & What This Means for You
- You can now skip the GP visit and self-refer via NHS.uk to your local maternity services. This reduces delay. NHS England
- Once you complete the form, a midwife will contact you to arrange your booking appointment. In many cases, for Trusts involved, this happens more quickly than under the old route. NHS England
- The self-referral portal has already been used tens of thousands of times, showing demand and usefulness. Digital Health
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your First Midwife Appointment
To feel more prepared and less anxious:
- Gather relevant health info: past pregnancies, existing health conditions, medications, family health history.
- Think of questions in advance: about scans, screening tests, birth preferences, what to expect.
- Be honest: lifestyle, mental health, any worries. Midwives are there to help, not judge.
- Know your rights: you can ask about your options, consent, and feel empowered in decisions.
- Bring someone supportive if that helps: partner, friend, or family member.
Final Thoughts
This move by the NHS to allow pregnant people to self-refer for their first midwife appointment is a positive step. It aims to allow more people to access pregnancy care earlier, which is linked with better outcomes, greater peace of mind, and improved support.
If you’re expecting or planning to be pregnant, you’re encouraged to refer yourself as soon as you can. Early pregnancy care isn’t just about medical checks—it’s about setting up the rest of your journey with confidence, getting the support you deserve, and ensuring your health and your baby's health start off on the best possible footing.
Sources
- NHS England: “Mums-to-be to skip the GP to get faster first NHS midwife appointments” (August 2025) NHS England
- NHS UK: Your first midwife appointment; Your antenatal care nhs.uk
- Gloucestershire Healthy Lifestyles, Dorset NHS: Early pregnancy booking process Maternity Matters Dorset
- Tommy’s (UK pregnancy charity): Importance & Guidance on Antenatal Care tommys.org
All information we provide is for educational and awareness purposes only. Any concerns should be discussed with your GP, Midwife or Healthcare Professional.
If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you probably know that there are certain foods and nutrients that become especially important once you’re pregnant. But nutrition plays a vital role even when trying to conceive, much like laying a strong foundation before constructing a house.
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When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
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