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AIBU?

to want some ante-natal care?

72 replies

Pandora2016 · 15/03/2016 11:23

I may be, being a bit PFB about this.

I'm expecting my first. I'm around 9 weeks. I went to the GP at four weeks and was told that the midwife would ring me to arrange things within a fortnight.

I've heard nothing. Is it too early to go and prod them a bit?

OP posts:
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DropYourSword · 15/03/2016 11:25

It's frustrating but standard. When I was newly pregnant my friend with two DC's said that early pregnancy is very much a 'hurry up and wait'.

Congratulations.

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babyconverse · 15/03/2016 11:27

I would prod them though as you need the date for your 12 week scan booked in

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SleepyBoBo · 15/03/2016 11:30

It may well be in your interest to give them a prod. The midwife usually books you in for your scan after the initial appointment, which must be done before 14 weeks (I may be wrong on that number!) if you want the extra testing done. However, some areas do take longer than others at getting back to you, so as pp said it's just a frustrating wait.

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welshweasel · 15/03/2016 11:32

Standard here. I had booking appointment at 10 weeks and she rang up and booked my 12 week scan there and then. Never saw a GP.

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Fourormore · 15/03/2016 11:35

You were told you'd be called by 6 weeks, you're now 9 weeks. I'd definitely be chasing.

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Thurlow · 15/03/2016 11:37

It's standard not to have any antenatal care in the first few months. It's sad, but there is little they can do to help in those first few months unless you need help with an illness, or you are under care for multiple miscarriages. Realistically, the NHS don't want to see anyone until the pregnancy is viable.

However, you should be due a booking in appointment around 10 weeks, and a scan at 12, so I would give them a call and ask.

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tinyterrors · 15/03/2016 11:46

I'd call and ask again as you need to have your first scan by 13.5 weeks if you want the extra tests done.

In my area you can't make your booking appointment with the midwife for when you're about 9 weeks. I've never seen the gp for pregnancy unless I've been ill as well.

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GloGirl · 15/03/2016 11:48

You should have seen aof wife by now, with all the early interventions they like to advise you on (folic acid, no drinking or smoking etc)

I suspect you might have been forgotten. Prod them.

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Loraline · 15/03/2016 11:56

Standard where I am. GP sees at 9 weeks - no sooner- then refers to hospital. Off the back of that referral you get sent a letter inviting you to me appt (10-11 weeks) and a scan.

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Loraline · 15/03/2016 11:56

MW, not me appt!

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CerseiHeartsJaime4ever · 15/03/2016 12:06

You need to be booked by 12 weeks - the WHO guidelines recommend this. I was booked at 15 weeks, they neglected to book scans, everything was late, I didn't see a midwife until I was 30 weeks, just 1 appt with a consultant before then. Since I went to PALS it has been much better and I am getting good care now.

Keep an eye on the timings and when you are supposed to be seeing someone because in my experience if you don't take control of your own care, they are lax to do it themselves and will blame you for not chasing them.

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curren · 15/03/2016 12:18

I was told to call at 10 weeks (fairly standard) but when I called there were no appointments until I was 13 weeks which would have made my scan even later.

I told them I was hospitalised when pg with dd by 13 weeks, midwife squeezed me in at 11 weeks so I was scanned on time.

It is normal to have not had any care a 9 weeks, unless you have had previous problems

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Katarzyna79 · 15/03/2016 12:19

OP you should have a 12 week scan, so you need booking appointment a few weeks before that otherwise your scan will be booked late, enquire.

Im sick of waiting around for midwives. I now theyre busy but so am I, I'm waiting 1 hour late for an appointment. Yet if I was late 10 mins they aren't supposed to see me? Initially they were on time, but I keep getting different midwives, and this latest one as lovely as she is makes me wait 1 hour?

Im fed up I had to run around like a headless goose this morning to get there on time get everyone fed and meds done before I left, for what I could have relaxed and gone?

Now people may say some women take longer to see, but this is the midwife surgery not the hospital, there;s not much equipment the midwife can use in the surgery any complications re referred to the hospital.

my nex appoint is in 4 weeks if it's 40 mins late I will be walking I don't care anymore. if I have problems I will see my GP or call labour ward.

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Katarzyna79 · 15/03/2016 12:19

know*

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Katarzyna79 · 15/03/2016 12:21

OP you can call ultrasound and book it through them if you think it's getting late, and if they agree (which they will) they'll book you in.

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Jw35 · 15/03/2016 12:24

The first midwife appointment is usually at 8 weeks, the midwife books your scan at the same time. I'd definitely prod them! My gp surgery was useless and I ended up having my first appointment at nearly 11 weeks which made my scan late

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CerseiHeartsJaime4ever · 15/03/2016 12:44

I'm actually due to give birth in 2 weeks and still haven't officially received my downs result either. I phoned 3 places for it (they kept passing the buck) and was just told angrily that I'd been told via letter more than once. After the PALS complaint, it was confirmed it was low risk but unless I'd complained, I'd never have known. Angry

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Tywinlannister · 15/03/2016 12:51

Cersai that all sounds terrible. I had some problems at the start and had to chase for my booking - turned out to be a group booking with 15 other women. V strange. Have been told they aren't doing that anymore.

Chase OP. As Cersai says, they will blame you for not chasing them. I had problems in my first pregnancy that they missed and of course it was all my fault for not ringing them to chase my test results (I did, they told me it was all fine. It wasn't!)

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JanetOfTheApes · 15/03/2016 12:53

9 weeks..you don't need any antenatal care. Chase up the appt alright, but what else do you need?
My first proper midwife visit last time was at 16 weeks!

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Katarzyna79 · 15/03/2016 12:59

Shes supposed to get booking appointment id say by 10 wks otherwise they may say sorry no 12 wk scans left ull havr to go at 16 wks which is late considering next obe is at 20 -24 wks

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Pandora2016 · 15/03/2016 13:01

Some reassurance that I'm on the system and possibly to ask a few questions would be nice.

I keeled over and ended up in A&E (suspected stroke/pre-eclampsia) a week ago. All was fine in the end (stress and exhaustion) but was hoping that, that would've hurried things along.

OP posts:
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Katarzyna79 · 15/03/2016 13:09

Yes its worrying with first one. Its almost 10 yrs since i had my first baby i think theyee more busier now fewer midwives more births so depending on where u on in the country its hit and miss. With my firsr they saw me at 6wks for booking appointment. I didnt see any other expectant mums in waiting area until i was near the end of my peegnancy. My appointments were bang on time too.

In edinburgh theres a baby boom but i was seen early for booking too and nwver lare seeing midwives.

Now back in midlands this surgery is taking the pee 1 hr wait every time

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sparechange · 15/03/2016 13:12

Im sick of waiting around for midwives. I now theyre busy but so am I, I'm waiting 1 hour late for an appointment. Yet if I was late 10 mins they aren't supposed to see me? Initially they were on time, but I keep getting different midwives, and this latest one as lovely as she is makes me wait 1 hour?

It is frustrating, but c'mon, you know this isn't them sitting around drinking tea. If someone comes in with anxiety, or a complicated medical history, or lots of questions, would you be happier if the midwives cut them off mid-question and kicked them out after their 10 mins is up?

OP, there is huge variance from region to region and hospital to hospital
I had my booking appointment and 12 week scan on the same day, for example. I think the appointment letter arrived a week or so beforehand, which wasn't ideal for getting the time off work.

Perhaps a quick call to them to ask when to expect the letter might reassure you that you haven't been forgotten about...

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Beth2511 · 15/03/2016 13:14

Here you have booking at 10/11 weeks but they book your scan in before your booking. Im 9+3 and know when my scan is but not my booking! Was same first time

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Katarzyna79 · 15/03/2016 13:17

I am understanding sparechange but they have out of clinic session s for booking appointments and other long appointments. The regular monthly appointments arent meantbto be seen the same day.

If im 10 mins late theyre not understanding are they? You cant seriously book ppl for 10am and make them wait 1 hr or more with no mention of it and no apology wen u walk in? I have a little 1 with me 2 elders unattended at home with dementia i think they are unreasonable. They should have saud its a 1 hr wait feel free to return later or rebook

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