In Scotland, the NHS provides pregnancy, labour and postnatal (after birth) care.
During your pregnancy, you’ll have regular antenatal (pre-birth) appointments with your midwife or obstetrician.
Some of your appointments will be face to face at a midwife hub, hospital or at home.
Other appointments may be video calls using NHS Near Me.
More information about NHS Near Me video appointments
More about antenatal care and classes during COVID-19
You’ll be given information about your rights and choices, to help you make your own decisions about treatment and care.
You have the same rights regardless of your age, sexuality, race, religion, or any other reason. If you feel you are being treated differently, speak to your midwife, GP, or a friend or family member you trust.
Maternity Action has more information about your maternity rights.
You’ll usually have 8 to 10 appointments with your primary midwife during your pregnancy. Your primary midwife is the midwife you see most often.
Some women may need more, or might have appointments with other members of their healthcare team.
Your first main appointment is called your booking appointment.
It’s important to go to all appointments. If you can’t attend an appointment for some reason, then it’s okay to rearrange it for another time close to the original appointment.
These appointments are important for you to build a relationship with your primary midwife. With your permission, your primary midwife will:
You’ll be offered some tests each time, such as:
At your appointment, you can:
How a baby grows is different for each woman, and your midwife will do a growth check at each antenatal visit.
One way growth is measured is by measuring the size of your womb or baby bump. This is known as fundal height. The measurements are recorded on a chart and can be used to monitor how your baby is growing.
You might also be offered a growth scan. If you are offered a growth scan, your midwife will explain why.
Read more about how your baby develops
Your midwife will tell you about antenatal classes at your appointments.
Antenatal classes, often called parent education classes, will:
The classes are a great opportunity for dads, partners or any person you choose to support you to get involved too.
Groups and classes may be in person or may be virtual, so you can access them on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Learn more about antenatal classes during COVID-19
All of your antenatal care is recorded in your electronic Scottish Women-Held Maternity Record (SWHMR), commonly known as maternity notes. You may be given an app to use instead, which links to your electronic record.
Ask your midwife to go through your maternity notes with you on the app or on paper.
Your maternity notes have information about:
Your maternity notes also have contact details for your primary midwife and maternity unit.
You might see medical words and abbreviations in the record. If you’re not sure what these mean or if you want more information, ask your midwife to explain.
You should:
This helps to make sure all health professionals that care for you know how your pregnancy has been, so they can give you the best possible care.
You’ll be offered tests during your pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are healthy and well.
If any issues or health conditions are found, this will be discussed with you. You’ll be supported to make choices that feel right for you and your baby.
Screening tests and scans can also help you and your baby be monitored more often and receive treatment quickly, if it’s needed. This can help to prevent serious illness and can save lives.
Read more about tests in pregnancy
Your blood pressure and urine will be checked regularly throughout your pregnancy.
Your maternity care team may discuss home monitoring with you and help you decide whether it feels right for you and your baby.
More about home blood pressure and urine monitoring
If you don’t usually live in Scotland, you’ll probably have to pay for NHS maternity care, although there are a few exceptions to this.
You must not be refused treatment or have it delayed because you need to pay.
Read information from the Scottish Government on accessing care for overseas visitors
Last updated:
25 January 2023