What to do next?

[user1487429797]

Hi, I got my BFP on Saturday, according to my vague calculations I should be about 5/6 weeks.

I have absolutely no idea what to do next! When do I need to get a GP appointment? I have a very rare day off today, is it worth ringing up to see if I can get an appointment today? What will they do/say?

Sorry, I sound very naive, this is all very new to me...

Any advice would be greatly appreciate.

[Gingernut81]

I'm sure I had to wait until 8 weeks to see MW. I just phoned docs, explained I was pregnant & asked who I needed to see & when as it was my first so didn't have a clue!
Congratulations too!

[Whatasmashingpumpkin]

The initial booking in appointment needs to be before 10 weeks in our trust in order for them to arrange the scan for 12 weeks. I booked in at 6 weeks with DD1 and 8 weeks with DD2. I just called the surgery, said I'd found out I was pregnant and needed to arrange a booking in appointment and they took my number and midwife called me back to book. It was a few days after my initial call that I had a call back, and another few days till booking in appointment.

[Oysterbabe]

Phone your surgery and ask. I was told I didn't need a GP appointment and they had me stop by and pick up a pregnancy pack with info about self referring to the midwife.

[user1487429797]

Thank you! I am terrified, not going to lie...

If I ring up, do I just need to explain to the receptionist and see what they say? Or do I need to speak to an actual doctor? My surgery is pretty useless, don't usually see the same GP twice... plus you have to ring up at 8 in order to get a same day appointment.

I just don't want to waste their time for no reason if you aren't supposed to go for another few weeks, IYSWIM.

[Whatasmashingpumpkin]

Oh and congratulations!

[Whatasmashingpumpkin]

Just call up anytime and explain you need to arrange a booking in appointment, you don't need to see a GP today as it's not urgent, see today as more of an enquiry and see what they offer and what their procedure is.

[user1480264544]

I booked an appointment at about 8 weeks to see my gp and they sent my details to the hospital and they arranged all my further appointments. As far as my appointment with the gp went.. they literally just told me to take folic acid and that was pretty much all, congrats x

[user1487429797]

Ah thanks, that sounds like the way forward, I'll give that a go later. Though the thought of doing it makes me feel like a naughty child for some reason, as if I am not grown up enough for this to be happening... why?! I am 32 FGS!

[Oysterbabe]

Just call and tell the receptionist you're pregnant and ask what their policy is. There is the odd surgery that books you to see a GP. Most will just tell you what to do to arrange a booking appointment. I had to pick up and fill in some forms that they passed to the midwife who contacted me a couple of weeks later.

[user1487429797]

I'll give them a ring later when the early morning rush for appointments is over.

Seeing as this was sort of a planned pregnancy (more of a 'we feel ready, let's see what happens' type of thing), I didn't expect it to happen so quickly and I am feeling completely unprepared! Doesn't help that DP had to leave this morning to work away for two weeks...

My stomach is massively bloated, and keep getting little twinges and cramps, actually thought I was getting my period last week, feel like I have done a load of sit ups. Is this normal? Also can't stop drinking, downed an entire litre bottle of ginger beer in about five mins last night!

Any good advice on how to make sure it all stays where it is supposed to be?

[vfoster]

I went to the GP with my first and it was as PP say: call the midwife and goodbye!
This time I found the number for the midwives on a leaflet next to the pregnancy tests in the chemist. Called them directly and they took some information over the phone and then made my booking appointment at 8 weeks! Everything else starts to get booked/organised at the booking appointment.
Congratulation!

[BeeHobz]

Hey there - I am in EXACTLY the same situation as you. Started trying and got preggers pretty much immediately - still trying to take it all in.

I came on here for advice too - the best response was to go to the GP and just get things rolling. They're the best people to tell you what happens next.

I have my GP appointment on Wednesday, so I can tell you what happens if you like?

In the meantime, take folic acid and vitamin d everyday (I'm taking the Pregnacare supplement once a day) and give up all your vices!! Sure you're doing that anyway!!

Congrats - it's nice to know there's someone else in the same boat. (ps. I'm 32 as well!!!)

xx

[boxesoffrogs]

Ah bee congrats! When did you find out/how far along are you? It's so bloody scary this, isn't it? I am panicking a bit as we have just got back from holiday, so had a few drinks while we were away, not many as I had a hunch that I might be pregnant, but still).

The whole being 32 thing, is it normal to feel like I've been a naughty school girl who has got myself 'into trouble?! Maybe just me...

Off out to get some of that pregnacare stuff, obviously will hide it under a pile of shopping so nobody 'knows'. What is wrong with me? Might get some more tests as well, ya know, just to check it's not gone anywhere!

Have you had many symptoms? I am not sure when the best time to tell people is... obviously not make it common knowledge until the 12 week scan (fingers crossed)

xx

[arbrighton]

I told my parents and some friends well before 12weeks as i kmew i'd need their support if it did go wrong.

Had the courtesy to also tell MIL but she spread it around so really not helpful.

Was 12weeks by LMP on Christmas day so told whoever of family didn't know when we saw them over Xmas and then scan was pn 28th.

I've bought straight folic acid tabs and vit D rather than branded preg vits as they're extortionately expensive and most women don't need them-first of many things someone will try to sell you

I also didn't need to se GP- got midwife no from receptionists and booked flu jab (you should do that Asap, still flu season). Booked in at 5weeks as they had a slot.

Now 20+6

[boxesoffrogs]

Thanks arbrighton, that's helpful. MILs eh? Mine is probably going to hit the roof, she is rather religious and we aren't married yet, only engaged... not sure when to tell my mum... don't want to jinx things...

Good advice re the vitamins, etc. Already had flu jab luckily just before Christmas due to asthma. Just spoke to surgery, they told me I need to ring in the morning to get a docs appointment for later that day. Bit tricky when I work full time!

Any other good advice?

[BeeHobz]

Boxoffrogs, I found out a week ago! I'm guessing that I'm about 3-4 weeks.

Don't worry about the drinking - I went out the night before I did the test on a bloody hen do!! I'd had normal PMS symptoms so was convinced I wasn't pregnant - kept wondering why my period hadn't started. LOL, husband knew I was in denial but didn't want to mention it until I realised myself. If the few drinks you had had made a difference, you wouldn't be pregnant right now, if you know what I mean? So don't feel guilty!!

I know what you mean about the trouble - we spend our whole lives being told that getting preggers is the worst thing you can do!! I went to an all girls grammar school - getting up the duff would have been scandalous!! It's a huge mental shift - don't worry about feeling a certain way. Everything you're feeling is valid. x

In terms of symptoms, I felt a tiny bit seasick for the first few days after I found out, and my abdomen feels a bit swollen and 'harder'? My boobs are also swollen and sore. Ow my boobies!!

I've only told a close friend at work so far - just in case I needed support. Will be telling very close friends and family over the next few weeks. I won't be telling work until I bloody have to!!!!

I know everyone on here is saying you don't need to see a GP, but this is my first and I want to, so I am!! Don't care if it's a waste of their time - this woman has some questions!!!

I guess it's up to you - maybe speak to your GP's receptionist and see what they advise? That's what I did, and she booked me in with the Dr.

And I bought pregnacare vits coz I couldn't find separate vit D in Waitrose - couldn't really give a stuff about the extra £3! Xxx

[boxesoffrogs]

Opps, forgot i name changed forgot my password and had to re-register with that awful user1837373£382292 or whatever!

My boobs have been sore for the last three or so weeks, and totally sympathise with sea sickness type feeling, felt like I had been going up and down on a lift for ages!

My stomach is really bloated, had to actually undo my jeans discretely during dinner the other day before I found out. Obviously it's far too early for any sort of anything to show! Keep getting banging headaches and feeling dizzy, and literally cannot stop drinking!

Well, looks as though my surgery is one of the ones who refers you through the GP, so will try and get a same day appointment one day this week. Just want someone official to confirm it, I guess! And like you said, ask a million and one (probably completely silly questions).

Ditto to all girls grammar school, it was the ultimate taboo to get pregnant, and there were a couple of girls who were unceremoniously kicked out. So much for not having boys around as a distraction!

Not going to tell work until I absolutely have to. I don't think it will go down too well... but hey, not my problem! Told my sister and a close friend so far, and that's it. Think we will keep it that way until I have at least seen the doctor.

Keep jumping from really excited to absolutely bricking it...

[DebsOctBaby]

I felt really really rough last week but now I've hit 4 weeks I am starting to feel better - just very tired now. The bloating has gone which is good but I think sickness will start to creep in soon enough. I think I'm going to pay for a private scan at 8 weeks as I just can't wait until 12!!!

And I get what you mean girls, I'm 35 and feel like a naughty teenager as well and its my first!!!

[boxesoffrogs]

So silly isn't it! Congrats debs! I am not looking forward to the sickness stage, been relatively ok, few moments of thinking I am going to throw up but so far nothing that hasn't been sorted with drinking water...

This is an extremely stupid question... how do you know how many weeks you are? I am only going on the app calculator using the first date of my last period, is that the way to do it? Good grief I sound like a complete simpleton... I'm not usually this vacant, I promise!

[thisismadness77]

Hey ladies can I join you? I'm 6.5 weeks (estimate) as have no last period to refer to. I came off the mini pill mid January and must have got pregnant the next day as we only dtd twice in Jan! (Tmi?!)
I had to ring the docs who booked me to see the midwife at the next avail appt which was the next week. It was a fairly quick appt and I'm to go back on 16 March for the proper booking in appt. she did refer me to EPU for a scan at 9 weeks though due to two consecutive miscarriages last year. I only discovered the second mc at the 12 week scan which was awful. I'm trying to think positive this time. A year has passed and I'm 3 stone lighter which can only be a bonus health wise right? Ps I'm 39 and have a 4 year old daughter.

[BreezyThursday]

After getting pregnant on first try (expecting some time to get used to idea...) I found it very strange to be at a booking appt at 10wks filling in all sorts of forms when no one had actually checked I was pregnant (which I thought they would do!).

Time will fly, but it wasn't until 12wk scan that I really believed there was something in there!

[DebsOctBaby]

boxesoffrogs - I date mine purely from using the first day of my last period. I'm lucky that I have a very regular cycle (even down to almost the hour!) so its easy for me to know how many weeks and my EDD

thisismadness77 - congrats and fx that all will go nice and smoothly for you - well done on the weight loss, must be a positive healthwise!

[boxesoffrogs]

Eeek! I am convinced that I am going to turn up to the docs/booking in (can't believe I just typed that) or whatever, and they are going to turn around and tell me I have imagined the whole thing... we have only been 'trying' for a couple of months as well breezy.

Just went a bit mad in Tesco, buying lots of leafy vegetables, oily fish, brown rice etc etc (oh and just had my first folic acid tablet - feel bad for not having taken them before, but better late than never, right?).

So dating from my last period, the app reckons 5+5. Hmmm. Guess you don't really find out for sure until the scan...

Congrats on the weight loss thisis, and stay positive!

I am off for a walk to try and get rid of this headache. Has been coming and going for the last few weeks, and I don't normally get them. Don't really want to take any painkillers unnecessarily. Hope fresh air will do the trick.

[SayNoToCarrots]

I had my first at 25 and I felt like a teenage Mum till he was about three, which is ridiculous. I just got a BFP and I'm quite looking forward to doing it as a grownup! Tummy twinges are normal, your uterus is growing, and tbh until about it four weeks the embryo is not connected to your bloodstream so I wouldn't be too devastated about the alcohol.

[savagehk]

Congratulations!

With my first I booked an appointment with the GP. It was useless - he referred me straight to the midwives; and couldn't even confirm what folic acid I should be taking without consulting google (which I'd already done, obviously).

With my second, I referred myself to the midwives directly. It's worth phoning the GP surgery and asking if you need to see a GP or not (although the receptionists at mine seemed to think I should); and possibly checking online for midwife details near you to see if you can self-refer to them. Here they're on the hospital website.

It's not very exciting until your 12 week scan to be honest - at book in there's just lots of paperwork and they may weigh you, no one really examines you or anything like that until after the scan!