Got my first appointment with the midwife on Tuesday - what questions to ask?

[MumToBe2015R]

Hello,
I've got my booking appointment on Tuesday, and was wondering if anyone can advise on what sort of questions I need to be asking the midwife? What to expect from the appointment? This is my first pregnancy so new to this all.

Any help/advise would be helpful xx

[SilverStars]

Very little time to ask questions, I found. Main thing to decide before go is where want to give birth as they will book 12 week scan at right hospital then. Or midwife unit/home etc. it is mainly form filling in, with family history, medication, tick box exercise for mental health and domestic abuse check, blood test, weight/height, give out pack of leaflets etc I have found x2.

[MumToBe2015R]

Thank you SilverStars my appointment letter says 2hours

[Lottiedoubtie]

It takes forever but is mostly form filling and blood tests, weighing you etc.

It's useful for you to ask DH about his family medical history before you go because those questions can catch you out!

[Ruth10]

Ask what you want to know, you don't need to think up questions just for the sake of it.
Enjoy it, I remember feeling like I now belonged to a special new club if that makes sense!

[PotteringAlong]

Lots of forms, bloods taken, after with asking about the medical history of DH's parents / siblings if you're not sure. Don't be taken by surprise by the domestic violence questions; they ask everybody! They'll also ask if it's your first pregnancy and may double
Check no previous abortions etc

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

Is there anything you particularly want to know? If so, ask that .

[eckythumpenallthat]

Mainly form filling and they take bloods off you and a urine sample

Mine was very rushed 20 min apt

No need for me to decide where I wanted to give birth. There are 2 hospitals in my locality. Where I live you have to organise ur scan appointments and you could have them done at either hospital so they gave me he number to ring up for that

[EssexMummy123]

Re what hospital you end up in - you can always change your mind later on.

[Lunastarfish]

I had mine last week, lasted 45 minutes. Ask your DP for any family health problems, have a think about any issues your parents have had (especially diabetes) and remember to NOT go for a wee before hand. Despite being sent 50 odd pages of guff from Kingston Hospital there was not a single mention about a urine test hence having to down two bottles of water during the appointment!

[BatteryPoweredHen]

I would just remember that the NHS is there to offer you ante natal care and it is entirely up to you which bits of it you choose to take them up on.

You are well within your rights to withhold any information you choose (previous terminations, for example) and also to decline any tests you don't wish to have without offering any explanation.

I really worry that the nanny state goes into overdrive once you are pregnant, please don't let over zealous midwives push you around. You are paying for this care, and are completely in the driving seat (something many NHS employees seem to forget!)

[BreeVDKamp]

I was sent forms to fill out beforehand so didn't need to remember medical histories etc :-/ just ask whatever you want to know! :) congratulations

[MumToBe2015R]

Thank you for all the advice... We've made a list of a few questions. Now we have to make a list of medical history... Husband is abit unsure about med history in his family, and can't ask because we haven't told anyone, going to leave it until just after our dating scan

[SilverStars]

I think they were mainly interested in parents health and any major family health issues - eg spina bifida or CF in family, ie things likely to know. If it helps.