For a low-risk pregnancy, a minimum of 8 to 10 antenatal visits is recommended, typically more frequent in the first trimester and third trimester, with high-risk pregnancies requiring additional appointments based on specific conditions. The detailed anomaly ultrasound scan is ideally performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, when all major fetal organ systems are sufficiently developed to be clearly visualised and assessed for structural abnormalities. Your obstetrician at Galwa Care Hospital will design a personalised monitoring schedule tailored to your individual health profile and risk factors from your very first appointment.

The six-week postnatal check is a comprehensive review of the mother's physical recovery including wound healing, blood pressure, uterine involution, pelvic floor function, and emotional wellbeing, as well as the baby's growth, feeding, and developmental milestones. It is a critical appointment that should never be missed because many postnatal complications including hypertension, anaemia, wound issues, and early postpartum depression may not produce obvious symptoms until they are clinically assessed. At Galwa Care Hospital, your six-week check also includes contraception counselling, breastfeeding review, and a full discussion of your transition into longer-term maternal wellbeing.

Postpartum depression involves persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, anxiety, loss of interest in daily life, difficulty bonding with the baby, exhaustion beyond normal tiredness, and in severe cases thoughts of self-harm. It is more common than many women realise and affects a significant proportion of new mothers. At Galwa Care Hospital, every postnatal patient is proactively screened for postpartum depression and anxiety. Treatment includes psychological counselling, structured peer support, and where clinically indicated, medication, all available through our dedicated mental health support programme because a mother's emotional health after birth matters just as much as her physical recovery.

Yes. At Galwa Care Hospital, we warmly welcome the presence of a partner or chosen family member at antenatal consultations and ultrasound appointments, because a supported mother is a healthier mother and sharing these precious milestones enriches the entire family's experience. Key vaccinations recommended during pregnancy include the Tdap vaccine, protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, ideally administered between 27 and 36 weeks, and the influenza vaccine. Your obstetrician at Galwa Care Hospital will review your complete vaccination history and provide personalised guidance on all recommended immunisations at the appropriate stage of your pregnancy.