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Early pregnancy care
Early pregnancy can be a worrying time, HCA UK outlines the personalised care and support it provides for peace of mind.
Care in the early stages of pregnancy
The early pregnancy service at The Portland Hospital is available to give newly expectant mothers the support they need during the first weeks and months of pregnancy.
Our team of experienced sonographers and consultants provide personalised care for women experiencing pain, bleeding, morning sickness or loss of symptoms. We offer a number of ultrasound examinations and routine antenatal screenings, including: anatomy, growth and Doppler examinations; screening for Down’s Syndrome, Edwards and Patau’s Syndrome; chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis.
Same day appointments are often available. If necessary, we can arrange further tests or consultations with a gynaecologist.
We also offer a wide range of antenatal classes and childbirth advice for you and your partner, as well as exercise classes to help you maintain general fitness and prepare your body for childbirth.
For most women with a regular, monthly cycle, one of the first signs you may be pregnant is missing your period. At this time, it is completely normal to feel a range of emotions from joy and excitement to feeling vulnerable and anxious.
Some signs that you may be expecting a baby include:
- missed period or very light period
- nausea and/or vomiting
- feeling dizzy or faint
- fatigue
- tender or sore breasts
- tummy cramps or twinges
- strange taste in the mouth
- sensitivity to smells
- aversion (dislike) to certain foods or food cravings
- need the toilet more frequently
- constipation
- excess saliva (ptyalism)
Every woman is different and the symptoms of early pregnancy can vary greatly.
Some women experience severe nausea during early pregnancy and find themselves being sick constantly and unable to keep anything down. This is a serious pregnancy condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum and requires medical treatment, you will need to see your GP for a referral or you can see an obstetrician experienced in this condition.
If you think you might be pregnant, one of the quickest ways to find out is to do a pregnancy test at home. The most reliable time to take a test is from the first day of your missed period.
Pregnancy tests detect the hormone ‘human chorionic gonadotrophin’ (HCG) in urine. The test is quick and easy to do. It involves holding a stick under your stream of urine. Most pregnancy tests will give you the correct result if you follow the instructions properly.
A positive test result is almost always correct. Negative results are less reliable and if you still think you might be pregnant, it’s worth waiting a few more days and taking another test.
Your consultant will discuss with you the tests and scans available to give you added peace of mind.
These may include:
- ‘dating scan’: to provide an estimated date of delivery (EDD) based on your baby’s measurements
- Combined test: includes a blood test and an ultrasound scan to screen for Down’s Syndrome, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes
- Amniocentesis: involves removing and testing a small sample of cells from the amniotic fluid (fluid surrounding the baby in your womb)
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): a needle is inserted into your tummy and a small sample of cells is removed from your placenta (the organ linking your blood supply to the baby)
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Early pregnancy care tests & scans
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing or NIPT is a blood test that checks the DNA from the placenta in the mother’s blood for excess chromosomes. It determines whether there’s a low or high risk of the baby having Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndrome.
Ultrasound during pregnancy
An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your baby inside your womb.
Amniocentesis
A test which involves extracting a small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding your unborn baby to test for a genetic condition.
Early pregnancy care treatments
Caesarean (C-Section)
Experience a reassuring, informed birth journey with our planned and elective C-section delivery services. We’re here for emergency C-sections too.
Where can I find the Early Pregnancy Unit?
Our teams are here for you at world renowned The Portland Hospital in London, the UK’s only private hospital dedicated to the treatment of women and children. Early Pregnancy Unit services will soon be available at a new Portland Outpatients centre in Manchester too.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Portland Hospital Outpatients, Hale
Unit 6 Crown Passages WA15 9GN Hale, Cheshire
Maternity care at The Portland
At HCA UK we have a hospital dedicated to the care of women and children designed to allow you the possible experience before, during and after the birth of your child.
The hospital has a large maternity unit managed by experienced midwifes and specialist nurses. The unit has an onsite special baby unit as well as paediatric intensive care for any unexpected post pregnancy problems.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.