NHS Borders Maternity Care Leaflet

Antenatal care helps monitor your health and your baby’s development throughout pregnancy.

How to access:

• Contact your GP or local midwifery team to be referred to NHS Borders maternity services.
• Your first contact may be by phone. If we are unable to reach you or on request this may be followed up by a letter detailing your “booking” appointment.
• You’ll be offered a ‘booking” appointment with your named midwife around 8–10 weeks of pregnancy.
• NHS Borders uses BadgerNet, an electronic maternity record system. You’ll have access to your own record via a secure patient portal.

What to expect:

• First-time parents usually have ten appointments, and those who’ve had a baby before usually have seven.
• You may be offered scans, screening tests, and parent education classes.
• Additional support is available for young parents, those with mental health concerns, or complex social situations.

Postnatal care supports your recovery and your baby’s wellbeing after birth.

How to access:

• Your community midwife will visit you at home for up to 10 days after birth (and up to 28 days if needed).
• You’ll be supported with infant feeding, emotional wellbeing, and caring for your baby.
• You’ll also be referred to a health visitor for ongoing support.

What to expect:-

• Help with feeding choices and baby care.
• Monitoring of your physical and emotional recovery.
• Advice on contraception and future planning.

Intrapartum care ensures safe and supported labour and delivery.

How to access:

• When labour begins or if you have concerns, call the Labour Ward at Borders General Hospital (BGH) for 24-hour advice: 01896 826897.
• You’ll be cared for in either a Midwifery-Led Unit or Consultant-Led Unit depending on your needs.
• A virtual tour of the BGH Maternity Unit is available to help you prepare.

Labour Ward (24hr advice): 01896 826897

Ward 17: 01896 826017

Antenatal Clinic Appointments: 01896 826527

Pregnancy Assessment Unit: 01896 826735

Online contact form: https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services/general-services/maternity-services/contact-us/

Based on current NICE guidelines, NHS Borders offers the following schedule of routine antenatal appointments:

For First-Time Mothers (Nulliparous):

• Before 10 weeks – Early screening and referral to partnership agencies if required.
• 8–12 weeks – Booking appointment with midwife
• 16 weeks – Review of booking blood tests, offer whooping cough vaccine
• 18–20+6 weeks – Ultrasound anomaly scan
• 25 weeks – Routine check (first-time mothers only)
• 28 weeks – Blood tests and anti-D prophylaxis if needed, offer RSV vaccine
• 32 weeks – Review and planning
• 34 weeks – Birth planning and wellbeing check
• 36 weeks – Position of baby and birth preparation
• 38 weeks – Final birth planning and wellbeing
• 40 weeks – Wellbeing check and options discussion, membrane sweep offered and arrangements made for IOL if needed.
• 41 weeks – Membrane sweep and induction planning if needed

For Mothers Who Have Had a Baby Before (Multiparous):

• Usually seven appointments, excluding 25-week and 34-week checks unless clinically indicated

Additional appointments may be offered based on medical conditions, baby’s wellbeing, or support needs.
Every woman will have a personalised care plan recorded in BadgerNet and updated at each contact.