Your 25-week appointment: what happens and what to ask

If this is your first baby, you’ll usually see your midwife at 25 weeks. Here’s what the NHS and NICE say happens, and some questions you might want to ask.

Who has a 25-week appointment?

The NHS says you’ll have an appointment at 25 weeks if this is your first baby. If you’ve given birth before, you won’t usually have one, and your next appointment is at 28 weeks.

The NHS says you’ll be offered at least 10 antenatal appointments if this is your first baby, and at least 7 if you’ve given birth before. Your own schedule may be different, so follow what your midwife tells you.

What happens

The NHS says your midwife will:

check your blood pressure and test your pee (urine)
measure your bump to check your baby’s growth
talk about your baby’s movements
ask about your mental health
talk about your choices and preferences for giving birth
go over any screening results

Measuring your bump

NICE, which writes the guidance midwives follow, calls this measurement the symphysis fundal height. It’s offered at each appointment from 24 weeks, unless you’re having regular growth scans, and the measurement is plotted on a growth chart.

If your bump measures larger or smaller than expected, NICE says you may be offered an ultrasound scan to check your baby’s growth. See growth scans in pregnancy.

Blood pressure and urine

NICE says your blood pressure should be taken with a machine that has been checked for use in pregnancy, and your pee is tested with a dipstick for protein. The NHS says high blood pressure and protein in your pee can be early signs of pre-eclampsia, and the pee test also looks for urine infections. See urine tests and blood pressure checks.

Your baby’s movements

Your midwife will ask about your baby’s movements and whether you have any worries about them. NICE says you should be told to contact maternity services at any time of day or night if you’re worried about your baby’s movements, or if they slow down.

How you’re feeling

The NHS says your midwife will ask about your mental health. NICE says midwives should also ask about your general health and wellbeing and about domestic abuse, somewhere safe to talk, and ask if there’s anything else you’d like to discuss. If you’ve been feeling low or anxious, this is a good time to say so. See anxiety, low mood and loneliness in pregnancy.

Your birth preferences

The NHS says your midwife will talk about your choices and preferences for giving birth. NICE says these conversations start or carry on at 25 weeks, including what each option means and its benefits and risks. Your preferences are confirmed at later appointments. See writing a birth plan.

Questions you might want to ask

The NHS says you can ask questions and discuss any concerns at your appointments. You might want to ask:

Is my bump growing as expected?
Is my blood pressure normal, and did my pee test show anything?
Have all my screening results come back, and what do they mean for me?
Who do I call if I’m worried about my baby’s movements, and what’s the number?
Do I need a test for gestational diabetes?
Have I had my whooping cough vaccine, and when can I have the RSV vaccine?
Can we talk about where I’d like to give birth?
What will happen at my 28-week appointment?

Between appointments

Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, day or night, if you’re worried about your baby’s movements or they slow down. NICE says you can contact maternity services at any time of day or night about this. See your baby’s movements in pregnancy.

Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away if you have signs of pre-eclampsia. The NHS lists a severe headache that doesn’t go away with simple painkillers, vision problems such as blurred vision or flashing lights, pain below your ribs, sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, heartburn that doesn’t go away with heartburn medicines, being sick, or feeling very unwell. The NHS says to call 111 if you can’t reach your maternity unit. See high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

Questions people ask

Do I have a 25-week appointment if this isn’t my first baby?

Not usually. The NHS says the 25-week appointment is for first babies. If you’ve given birth before, your next appointment is usually at 28 weeks.

Will I have blood tests at 25 weeks?

The NHS doesn’t list routine blood tests at 25 weeks. You’re offered them at 28 weeks. If you have a higher chance of gestational diabetes, the NHS says you’ll be offered a test between 24 and 28 weeks.

What if my bump measures small or big?

NICE says you may be offered an ultrasound scan to check your baby’s growth. Your midwife will explain what happens next.

Can I ask about things that aren’t on the list?

Yes. NICE says your midwife should ask if there’s anything else you’d like to talk about.