Antenatal Clinic

What to expect from your antenatal care at Central Health London

At Central Health London, our antenatal clinic offers a complete, consultant-led program of pregnancy care, combining medical excellence, clear communication, and continuity. Our approach is grounded in early reassurance, thoughtful planning, and the same expert support throughout your pregnancy, delivery and past natal period.

We believe we have the best obstetricians in the UK and globally.

Our obstetricians have been trained in, and continue to work at the only two UK hospitals ranked in the top 10 in the world for obstetrics and gynaecology (by Newsweek in 2025). UCLH and KCLH are teaching hospitals that are world-renowned for their obstetric research and managing some of the most complex maternity cases in the UK and internationally. Private practice gives our obstetricians time away from this high-pressure environment and the time to reconnect on a personal level with their patients, something they struggle to achieve in their teaching roles. They are able to return to enjoying the art and practice of maternity care, including the perfect normal delivery, while remaining confident they can handle all of the difficult stuff.

We tailor our care around you, offering a joined-up experience that brings together obstetricians, fetal medicine consultants, midwives, paediatricians, physiotherapists and mental health professionals. Whether you’re planning your pregnancy, have just found out you’re expecting, are coming to us later in your journey, want a second opinion, or simply want a single visit for reassurance, our antenatal clinic is designed to provide you with confidence, clarity, and calm.

We offer the latest in ultrasound technology, early screening, and specialist assessments, with all diagnostic scans performed by fetal medicine experts. Each consultation includes time to ask questions, plan ahead, and ensure your care is aligned with your values and preferences.

First Trimester (up to 13+6 weeks)

4-10 Weeks

Your first appointment is usually the longest. We’ll take a full medical, family, and pregnancy history, check you are physically well. An early pregnancy scan (to provide reassurance, confirm your due date and check for twins) and baseline blood tests (to check Iron and vitamin levels, thyroid function, full blood count, blood group and immunity to infections that could impact your baby) are offered at this visit.

You have time to discuss your birth preferences and have any medical questions answered by your chosen obstetrician.

You will meet our midwives who answer any medical questions you may have forgotten to ask your Obstetrician and also questions we know from experience are often better answered by midwives:

• Which antenatal classes?

• What’s the best breast pump?

• Should I get a maternity nurse?
  

10-13 Weeks

At follow-up visits, we begin listening to your baby’s heartbeat via Doppler and monitoring your progress. You will be offered first trimester screening, which usually includes:

• Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan

• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

• Pre-eclampsia screening blood tests

Your obstetrician will talk you through your options and, where appropriate, refer you to one of our foetal medicine specialists or genetic counsellors. At this time you can also choose to find out the sex of your baby.

Second Trimester (14-27 weeks)

Routine visits continue every four weeks. At each appointment, we’ll monitor your blood pressure, baby’s growth, and heart rate.

14-18 Weeks

Some parents choose to have an Early Anomaly Scan to assess development and cervical length, particularly if there’s a history of preterm birth.

18-22 Weeks

This is when the Detailed Anatomy Scan is typically performed. It provides a comprehensive review of your baby’s development and checks for any structural anomalies.

24-28 Weeks

Blood tests for iron levels and a glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes are usually performed. Vaccines for whooping cough (Tdap), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Flu are discussed so that you understand the benefits, how they protect your baby after birth, any risks and any contraindications.

Third Trimester (28 weeks onwards)

Your visits become more frequent, every 2 weeks allowing us to more closely monitor both your wellbeing and your baby’s growth.

28-36 Weeks

Growth and wellbeing scans are typically performed at 28, 32, and 36 weeks. These are reviewed promptly with your consultant. Detailed discussions around birth planning, hospital preferences, and breastfeeding begin around this time.

35-37 Weeks

We offer Group B Strep testing and ultrasound if there are any known risk factors.

Term and Post-Term Monitoring (37 weeks onwards)

From 37 Weeks

We begin weekly visits, and your consultant will check your baby’s position, assess your cervix if you are approaching labour, and review your birth plan.

After 40 Weeks

If you go beyond your due date, you will be offered additional antenatal monitoring — including ultrasound to check amniotic fluid and fetal movements, as well as heart rate monitoring. Your consultant may discuss induction options if needed.

A Personalised Antenatal Programme

You may choose to follow a full antenatal care package from 6 weeks, join us from 20 or 28 weeks, or simply attend for one-off scans or second opinions. All appointments are with your chosen consultant, with the option to include fetal medicine assessments, genetic counselling, and additional reassurance scans as needed.

Our goal is to ensure the safest pregnancy and the best birth outcomes possible so that you feel confident that you could not be in better hands.

Fees

For a detailed and transparent breakdown of our costs, including consultation fees and packages, please visit our Fees page.