The ‘Yellow Card’ or Antenatal Record is a health record of a pregnancy given to all pregnant women in NSW, usually filled in by a doctor, obstetrician and/or midwife. It’s usually updated at each antenatal appointment. It is an A4 size, two-sided card that is light-yellow in colour.
It’s recommended that pregnant women keep this card with them all the time, such as in their handbag, just in case they need to go to hospital. It’s also helpful if you see different health or medical providers so they can get the most up-to-date information about your pregnancy.
The first section of the card includes personal information about you, such as where you were born, if you need an interpreter, any cultural or religious considerations, and your GP’s contact information.
Front page
This Pregnancy
Includes dates of your last period and expected delivery date, pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI).
If your period is regular, your due date will be based on your last period. If your period is not regular, your due date may be based on your dating scan if you had one.
Current lifestyle considerations
Includes information about your alcohol intake, smoking or other drug use.
Your doctor or midwife can provide you with information or support about improving your lifestyle.
Antenatal screening tests
Includes results from blood and urine tests conducted at your first antenatal visit such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C syphilis, rubella, antibody screen, HIV, vitamin D, thyroid function, iron and vitamin D.
Prenatal Testing
Includes date of tests and test results for tests such as the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) or amniocentesis.
Ultrasound
Includes dates of scans and results for ultrasounds such as the dating scan (first trimester), nuchal translucency (first trimester), structural morphology (second trimester) and any other ultrasounds.
Previous Pregnancies
Includes information about any previous pregnancies such as the place of birth, number of weeks when you delivered, type of birth, length of labour and birth weight. This section may also include information about any miscarriages.
Health considerations
Includes information about any medications you take (including prescription, non-prescription and vitamins), past and current medical conditions, family history of medical conditions, previous major surgeries, and any allergic reactions. This information will help your doctor or midwife manage your health during pregnancy, your baby’s health and can affect the plan for your labour and childbirth.
Vaccines
The whooping cough and influenza (flu) vaccines are recommended for all pregnant women. This section includes the date you were vaccinated and vaccine batch information.
Back page
The entire back section of the card is a large table that is usually updated at each antenatal visit. Some sections will not be completed until the third trimester.
Your weight
Your weight will be measured at each antenatal visit to make sure you’re gaining a healthy amount of weight as your pregnancy progresses.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure usually drops in pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester. Blood pressure is regularly monitored because high blood pressure can cause serious complications in pregnancy.
Gestation
This is the length of your pregnancy, usually written as the number of weeks and days. For example ‘12+3’ means 12 weeks and 3 days.
Fundal Height (FH)
A measurement (in centimetres) from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your pregnancy bump. The centimetre measurement will correlate to the number of weeks of your pregnancy. This won’t be measured until there’s a noticeable bump, usually after 20 weeks (second trimester).
Presentation and Position
What part of the baby is presenting into the pelvis, for example its head or bottom. This section isn’t completed until your third trimester.
Engagement
This is written as a fifth-fraction (/5) and shows how deep the baby’s head or bottom is in the pelvis as the baby prepares for childbirth. A value of 5/5 means the baby is least engaged. A value 1/5 means the baby is deeply engaged and is a sign that you’re nearly ready for delivery. For a first pregnancy, engagement usually starts between 34-38 weeks. Your bump will look like it’s dropped as the baby lowers deeper into the pelvis.
Foetal Heart Rate (FHR)
A measurement may be written (in beats per minute) or they may just put a ‘tick’ or ‘yes’ that a heart rate was detected.
Foetal Movements Felt (FMF)
A measurement may be written (in beats per minute) or they may just put a ‘tick’ or ‘yes’ that a heart rate was detected. Baby’s movements aren’t usually felt until after 20 weeks in a first pregnancy, often earlier in subsequent pregnancies.
Plan for labour and birth
Includes your childbirth preferences but many women will have a separate, detailed birth plan.
