Antenatal Care › Booking in

Booking in

Booking in is your first proper pregnancy appointment with a midwife, and one of the most important you will have. The earlier you do it, the better.

Last reviewed May 2026 by Dr Sarah Koffmann

Why booking in matters

Pregnancy care works best when it starts early. Your booking-in appointment is a longer first visit, often an hour or more, where your midwife builds a full picture of your health and your circumstances.

That picture shapes every decision about your care for the rest of your pregnancy, which is why it is worth giving it the time it deserves.

What we talk about

It is a relaxed conversation, not a checklist, but the time is there to go through:

Your health. Any medical conditions, and any medications you take, including anything over the counter.

Past pregnancies and births. What happened, and how you felt about it.

Your mental health. How you are travelling emotionally, now and in the past.

Your supports. The people and the help you have around you at home.

What comes next. Any early tests, referrals and scans you may need.

When to book in

Call to book in as early as you can, ideally in the first 10 weeks. If you are already further along than that, please do not worry. The most important thing is to make the call now.

Booking in is done through the Midwifery Led Antenatal Clinic (MLAC), a midwife-led clinic in the Heritage Building at Bathurst Base Hospital. No referral is needed.

The clinic is often booked out, so you may not be seen until after 14 to 20 weeks. That is normal. In the meantime, keep seeing your GP so your care continues until you are linked in with a midwife.

Have you booked in yet?

If not, now is the time. Call the Midwifery Led Antenatal Clinic at the Heritage Building, Bathurst Base Hospital, to make your appointment. No referral needed.