Booking appointment - where is it??

[CloudsofBrick]

I'm 9 weeks on Monday by my calculations. Over two weeks ago I called to arrange booking appointment. They didn't answer the phone for two days, so I left message but they called back while I was at work (even though they requested me to give them a convenient time to call )

In the end, I self referred online and received a reply to say I'd get an appointment in the post. I called this week to say I hadn't yet received anything, and the lady who answered said "well, we're very busy and you're not that far along. You'll receive something in the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye out for it."

Eh? Are they all this useless? I'm sure I had my booking in at 8.5 weeks last time. They don't seem bloody arsed this time!

[LibrariesGaveUsP0wer]

Mine wasn't until 10-11 weeks the second and third time. Just keep chasing...

[EdgarAllenPoe]

I told my GP I was pregnant at 5 weeks and he said he'd refer me to the midwife service (it's impossible to self refer for your first pregnancy here because they won't give out the number of any midwife services!). Got to 10 weeks and no letters or anything to confirm I even had an appointment. GP insists it's been done and to wait to 12 weeks, but I know I'm due a scan then and think I need to know at least a little in advance really!

I ended up ringing the hospital's maternity ward as it was the only number I could find. Turns out my doctor never referred me. Midwife at hospital was great on the phone and had them call me the next day to arrange an appointment straight away and apologised for me getting lost somehow. My doctor also reckons GPs can't fill out MATB1 forms even though the form says they can. Thankfully my midwife is a star so now I have her numbers, I book everything directly through her.

So the moral of the story is keep chasing, especially if you're at 10 weeks. Have a blub on the phone to the maternity ward if need be. Worked for me!

[CloudsofBrick]

I'll definitely keep chasing - I'm like a dog with a bone about it! I won't cry just yet, but might resort to that in the future lol.

I understand they're busy, but surely they must understand we want a little reassurance - second baby or not. Plus I'm starting to show so I really want my scan so I can check dates and tell work!!

[MissSMartin]

I also told doctor at 5weeks pg and i didn't have my first mw appt until i was 11.5 weeks.. then my 12 week scan was at 13.5 weeks! I've been delayed with appointments ever since haha

[CarShare]

Agree with those who say keep chasing, I had three referrals go missing and was on the receiving end of some very dodgy communication/poor administrative processes and an angry midwife ringing me when I'd 'missed' an appointment I hadn't been notified of. It's shit but you'll get there in the end and once in the system things seem to run a little smoother!

[Nicky333]

I rang the doctor at 3 weeks, got given a number for the midwife, rang her and we made an appointment for when I was exactly 6 weeks. She gave me a choice of hospitals and I picked one. It turns out that the one I chose isn't one she looks after specifically, so I have another booking in appointment at the hospital next week when I'll be 8 weeks. They also arranged my 12 week scan, but then I go back to the first midwife at 16 weeks.