Is booking appt separate from dating scan?

[BillyGoatsGruffalo]

Hello,

Sorry if it's an obvious question - I saw my doctor on Monday to set the wheels in motion and received an appointment for my scan in the post on Friday (this will take place at the beginning of November, when I'll be 11 weeks). However, the doctor didn't mention anything about a booking in visit and I'm a bit confused as to whether the two are separate or combined.

If they are separate, which usually takes place first, and is it normal to receive notification of a scan before a booking in appointment has been made? Unfortunately the surgery had run out of pregnancy care packs, which I'm guessing may have contained this information!

Thanks :)

[Wigeon]

Congratulations!

Booking in appointment - with a GP or midwife (depending on your surgery). In your local GP surgery. Nothing really happens. Often they don't even do a pregnancy test. Happens first, before anything else. Think your appointment with your doctor was probably your booking in appointment - you are just "booking in" to say that you are pregnant!

Dating scan - happens in a hospital with a sonographer, round about 12 weeks.

Do ring the GP receptionists just to confirm you don't need another appointment with your GP. They will give you a schedule of all the midwife appointments at some point - sounds like that will be in the pregnancy care pack. Might be worth ringing the receptionists next week to ask if they've got any available yet.

In early pregnancy, not very much happens in terms of contact with health care professionals, and women often are surprised, but it's quite ok!

[BillyGoatsGruffalo]

Thanks Wigeon This is my first pregnancy and my first post on mumsnet so feeling a little clueless! Will do as you suggest and ring docs next week to confirm/see if they have the pregnancy care pack back in stock!

[hubbahubster]

My booking in was at hospital the week before my scan. I think it differs across the country, but this is when I got my maternity notes, had blood and urine tests. Then the dating scan at 12 weeks was separate.

[janey223]

I had my dating scan at 10+6 but was too early, had second at 12 weeks and then booking in appointment at 13 weeks with midwife. I think booking in is 'supposed' to be before scan but doesn't really matter.

[BillyGoatsGruffalo]

Thank you all very much - I gave blood and urine samples this week too so guess that that and my original appt may count as booking in! Will double check when I ring for the results. Really looking forward to the scan and hoping I can keep myself occupied until then!

[Livened]

Best to check with your hospital scan department - spoke to the midwifes department at my hospital to arrange a booking in directly (my GP reception said to go direct), and after attending this at 6 weeks, the community midwife arranged my 12 week scan appointment for me. I then received the letter confirming the 12 week scan which said I needed to have attended a booking in appointment before I could have my scan.

I assume this was to get me on the system etc. The initial booking in at 6 weeks took 45 minutes. She asked family history of illnesses etc and also whether I would like a home birth etc. Also did a pee test and gave me my bounty pack with loads of information and advice.

If your 12 week scan letter doesn't mention that you must have had the booking in already prior to turning up, it may well be different to the hospital in my area so you're probably ok!

Congrats on the pregnancy by the way and good luck.

[BillyGoatsGruffalo]

Thanks Livened, sounds like I have a few phone calls to make Can't help thinking it would be simpler for everyone if it was the same nationwide!

[thejaffacakesareonme]

I think it depends on where you are in the country. In our local area it used to be that booking in and the scan took place on the same day. They've now separated them.

[Oeisha]

Congratulations!
My booking officially took place literally 30 minutes before by 12wks scan, when I then had the bloods done for genetic screening. I had the blood take for the STI screenings, rhesus status and my blood groupings done at 6wks (sometimes done at the 12wks point also), weight checks etc and the arduous form filling for them and the MATEX, but this isn't always the case. Just make sure they do fill in the form for prescription exemption (matex) as you can't do it, they have to...I thus got mine at 10wks and was able to have my annual dental check free!

[catsareevil]

My local hospital does the two together, you get one appointment, have the scan, and then go for the booking with the midwife after that.

[seaweedhead]

I think if you've had blood samples taken and filled in loads of paperwork then you've officially been booked in. That's what happens round here anyway!

[BillyGoatsGruffalo]

Had the samples done but no paperwork so far, guessing that comes later! I only had to answer a few basic questions about whether I smoke/drink etc and whether I'm allergic to anything - nothing about any family history.

Thanks for the advice regarding MATEX, Oeisha will get on to that as I'm also due a check up at the dentist.