what to expect in early appointments

[twinkle5]

I found out last week that I am pg (now 5+3) by doing home tests (several!). This is my first pregnancy, so keen to do everything 'right', I followed the advice on the test box and made appointment with my GP. Anyway, went this morning and basically he said congratulations and gave me a leaflet with midwife numbers and told me to phone and make appointment. My appointment isn't for another 4 and a half weeks! I just feel I want some sort of expert to at least confirm that I am pregnant! What are other people's experiences? Sorry if I waffle.....

[mrsflowerpot]

Congratulations!

I remember feeling exactly the same way about wanting some expert confirmation. It's very frustrating!

First midwife appointment will be to take your medical history, talk a bit about your choices and what your care will be like, and then to give you a load of leaflets. They might do a urine test and will probably do blood pressure and maybe weigh you. It's also your chance to air any worries. You might not then get another appointment for several weeks (depends on your local policy on scans etc). If all is going according to plan, you will be surprised how little they want to see you (at least until you get very close your due date).

[megandsoph]

Congrats Flower

I know its a pain in the bum but if you do want a bit of confirmation and a wee slip that says you are deffo pg, you can go and take a urine sample to the pharmasists and they do another test and also write up a note of result and it's also stamped. costs about £5 though. I'm 7 weeks PG and don't have my midwife appointment until 1st nov (sooooo long)

Again Huge congrats on your PG it will soon come round.

[megandsoph]

LOL Thats wasn't for mrsflower obviously for twinkle.

[geordiemacminx]

My first m/w appointment is'nt until 12 1/2 weeks... its rubbish!!

[twinkle5]

thanks, think I'm just being impatient! Can't wait for the first scan and it's ages away!

[twinkle5]

poor you Geordie! I should count my self lucky to only have to wait 'til 10 weeks!

[redkennedy]

Congratulations twinkle - I found out last Thursday so Im in the same position as you - Just want to be told for sure, although 5 tests hopefully cant be wrong (and a pair of fine breasticals, if I say so myself!). Ive not got the Drs til this Thursday, and was expecting her to do all the examinations and tests and stuff? Oh well, thats something else Ive learnt here today. Something tells me I dont think Im going to get much work done in the next 9 months.. xx

[twinkle5]

congrats Redkennedy
yes I was expecting some sort of testing to be done at the docs today, but nothing! I'm not sure how work is supposed to take place either!

[trixymalixy]

My GP did a blood test at 5 weeks to confirm pregnancy.

have you been to see your GP?

[trixymalixy]

Doh, should have read a bit better before I posted!!

Did you ask your GP for a test or did you assume because it wasn't offered that you couldn't have one

[redkennedy]

saw my GP this morning as an emergency appointment as I was having light cramping all day & night and have a very very pale pink mucousy discharge and was worried about the various malaria tablets/hospital sedations/etc Ive had before I found out. Would have got more interest & info from a bloody cardboard box. Just refered me to Antenatal dept at local hospital. Told her about cramping and she said quite plainly 'well you might be miscarrying and if you are theres nothing you can do about it. If you do m/c then please let us know so we can cancel the ap. And as for the malaria tablets, well its done now so just forget about it. Im in a bit of a hurry, I have other patients waiting' I shit you not. If it wasnt dangerous for my belly I wouldve knocked her over I swear. And there was me thinking the cramping was pretty normal as was the pink d/c. Now shes put the shits up me. Bitch.

[mumandlovingit]

how are things?

try not to panic too much and rest abit.if you do start to bleed id go up the hospital and they'll see what is happening.

when i was first pregnant i found out at 5 weeks, had midwife appointment at 9 weeks, scan at 12 weeks then blood tests 16 weeks.every four weeks basically.

i was so bored in between!

i really hope things go ok for you

[charlyp]

Hi Twinkle and congratulations, am in the same boat (7 weeks tomorrow) with no appointment for ages

I found out two weeks ago that I am pregnant - first time - no clue whats going on. Go to the doctor, he says congrats, registers me as a pregnant person and tells me the hospital will send me a date for a scan around 12 weeks and to pick up some leaflets on the way out. No test confirmation, no 'don't worry if you are feeling cramps thats normal', nada.

So my first appointment is on 17th november at 12 and a half weeks for a scan, and then he told me to make midwife appointment for 2 weeks after scan date to discuss scan and register properly - so thats 1st December at 14 and a half weeks

Am 34 and concerned about age related risks and the like but I guess I just have to wait for the scan in 5 and a half weeks time

I guess thats just how they deal with it, but I can really sympathise with having a feeling of doubt about whether it shouldn't be dealt with a little more proactively and abit earlier to offer more opportunities to discuss how you are feeling, symptoms and support

[poppiesmum]

Hi congrats to you all. I had my dd in Jan, but just wanted to say that all your experiences are similar to mine. My gp appointment was basically to say congratulations and give the midwifes number to call. At the booking appointment they gave me loads of leaflets, but didn't actually 'do' anything until 4 weeks later (was 14 weeks by then!) when they did blood tests. It was difficult as you expect loads of things to be happening when it's your first! tbh, with an uncomplicated pregnancy you'll get your 20 weeks scan and the mw appointments every 3-4 weeks after that until the last 8 weeks when they increase to every week, and that's about it!