Anyone want to compare Early midwife services with me?

[Nymphadora]

Just had my booking in appt yesterday. It was rushed but she did warn me that she may have to rush off & got paged. Next appt at 13 weeks and dating scan same week and that's when I get my free prescription forms.

Don't know what comes next apart from she said I would be high risk and probably have more scans after 28 weeks.

Anyway dh suggested that I ask on here about booking appts, dating scans & first consultant appts. He seems particularly annoyed at me not getting the free prescriptions cos it said in book I was given!!!

[tobago04]

Hi,i just had a booking in appointment with my midwife at about 10wks,then scan at 12wks,my next appointment with the midwife was at 16wks,
sounds like you'll be having more check ups though so not sure,
re free prescriptions i would just tick the pregnancy box to get them free,they hardly ever ask for proof,i had an appointment at the dentist before i got my free prescription card and the receptionist said that was fine and i got free treatment

[BurnyHill]

Nymph My early mw appointment was rushed with a grumpy mw who told me she didn't like her job because there was too much form filling to be done! Thankfully, as the pg went on she became more interested in my care and took more time to speak/listen to me, hopefully you will find the same.

I got my free prescription forms at the booking in appt both times at around 10wks. I was booked into have dating scan at around 12-13wks and then saw mw again at 16 wks. With my first pg I was considered low risk for everything so saw no consultant, second time round I was considered high risk and first saw a consultant at 22wks and then further hospital appts booked as and when deemed suitable IYSWIM.

[Nymphadora]

I will mainly see consultant I think but I thought I knew that this appt would be pretty crap just a bit put out at waiting til 13 weeks for everything

[LooL00]

It depends so much on where you live. I live in Sussex and for this pregnancy and dc2 saw the GP who did the prescription form at 8 weeks, then the mw comes to your house for the booking appointment (for one I went to her as it was more convienient for me) and spends an hour or so with you at 9 to 11 weeks. For dc1 i lived in Croydon, saw GP at 8 weeks but had no booking appt until 10 mins at 15 weeks after i had had scan at 13 weeks. I didn't even know about prescription card until about 30 weeks and then when I rang the GP receptionist she sorted it out. In Croydon I never made a birth plan with the mw. Here the mw comes to your house again and spends time on it with DP there if poss. and for dc2 this was even on a bankholiday weekend.

I think the quickest way to get that presciption card is to phone your GP reception and ask them to deal with it if they can.

[tiredfeet]

I went to GP at 4+3 (as had an appointment that day - originally to discuss fertility test results but they were slightly redundant ). He filled out free prescription form for me then and I got the certificate and card a week later in the post.

Midwife booking in appointment when I'm at 8 weeks, apparently it will take an hour. I think I get scan at about 12 weeks.

I think you should definitely challenge why you don't get the card earlier, when you're entitled to it already, doesn't seem fair at all

[Nymphadora]

GP surgery said midwife does it. GP told me to get it sorted when I saw him start of last week. His receptionists said the midwife does it now. MIdwife says not til 12 weeks.

This Cumbria btw

Am quite shocked at an hour for booking in mine was 15mins max!

[Nymphadora]

tiredfeet We went to the Dr about fertility reslts too

I need more evidence that other areas do it differently

[CathN]

I got prescription form from GP at about 5-6 wks because I had cystitis and he prescribed me antibiotics.

Had my booking in appointment at 10wks + 3 days. Lasted about an hour (weighed me, measured my height, took blood pressure, asked about mine and family's medical history, if I was drinking/smoking etc etc..) but I think the whole thing could really have been condensed into about 20 mins (she spent a good 10 mins trying to remember her password to log onto the computer! and another 10 mins at end trying to print something out.)

Was a bit disappointed there was no physical examination though (but not sure quite what I expected). It was all based on what I told her. Looking forward to scan next Friday when hopefully it will start to feel more real!

[CathN]

Oh, I should add, the MW at the booking in appointment didn't ask if I already had the free prescription form and didn't offer it. So if I hadn't got it earlier from my GP then I don't think I would have got it at booking in (unless I had specifically asked for it).

[pruneplus2]

Booking appt lasts 1 hour here, anywhere between 8-12 weeks with 11 weeks being 'the norm'. I requested one for 9 weeks to get in the system earlier as I had previously m/c x2 last year both at 10-12 weeks.

M/w checked BP, urine, took blood and went through all paperwork/history etc...Gave free vitamins along with the huge Bounty pregnancy information pack and some relevant NHS leaflets based on current personal info and history.

Very thorough. Had 12 week scan in between that appt and then 16 week appt where she checked BP etc...went through previous blood test results and heard heartbeat.

Have just had 20 week scan and will see GP next week for general health check (pre booked at 16 week appt by m/w) then will see m/w again at 24 weeks.

This will be my 3rd child but my DC's are 11 and 9 so its a long time ago I have had a viable pregnancy - Antenatal care has changed dramatically since my last baby and reading on here about the difference of care is very frustrating that we are all not getting the same care we deserve.

[hippopo]

I live in North London and had the choice of three NHS hospitals. Picked the one nearest when I was sat in GP office at 5 weeks as I knew no different.

Booking in at 10 weeks and didn't get free prescription form. Booking in took 15 mins was very rushed and didn't feel I could ask the questions I wanted to. One question/concern I did ask and I was told to speak to the consultant at around 16 weeks! the whole atmosphere there was horrid and I know they are busy and over streched but I felt really unsupported and also spoken to like I was a piece of dirt or and idiot fromn everyone from receptionist to the MWs.

Changed hospitals 4 weeks ago and have a lovely MW, I know exactly what to expect for rest of appointments, feel supported and know what to do if worried about anything. My booking in was re-done and took 1 1/2 hours and it was great. Also got my free prescription form and MW was gobsmacked that other hospital forgot to give it to me!

Was surprised how level of service varies so greatly within a few miles. Don't forget we pay for this service via our taxes and think we shouls expect a certain level of care.

[Nymphadora]

pruneplus my two are 10 & 8 and it does feel a very long time ago!

[Nymphadora]

My prescription form wasn't forgotten though, I asked for it and was told not until 12 weeks

[Nymphadora]

I think that's why my area does that but since Other areas don't it's back to the post code lottery. And I can't get a pre paid for that length of time either

[legallyblond]

Well, I am yet to have my booking appt with the midwife - I am 9 weeks now and it is on Monday when I will be almost 10 weeks. The letter telling me about my appointment says it will take 45 mins - 1 hour. Before that booking appt, on Saturday, I have to attend a 1 hour group session discussing screening options and explaining tests and the whole process generally.
I went to the GP at 5 weeks and he did the free prescription forms - I got the card (and the letter from the midwife re my booking appt) later that week, at almost 6 weeks. Also when I saw the GP at 5 weeks I had to choose my hospital, although it was stressed to me that I can change if I wish after discussing with the midwife...
The midwife's letter says she will take blood, weigh, take blood pressure, discuss general health and book me for a scan at 12 weeks.
Oh, and I live just outside London, in Essex (Buckhurst Hill). The difference in care I see in all your responses is CRAZY!

[LooL00]

Nymph,
the letter I got with my Mat Ex card is signed 'Exemption Issue Office' telephone 0845 601 8076. Why don't you give them a call to find out who should be dealing with your card and if you can get it sooner.

[Nymphadora]

You have loads!

I did think I was early but when I phoned they said it was fine.

[Undercovamutha]

For my booking appointment for DD (now 3.5y), the mw came to my house and was here for about an hour going through everything, answering questions, filling out forms etc. For my booking appt for DS (11m), I was told they were short staffed, and could I make it to the local maternity unit (30mins away) some time on a thursday evening before the antenatal classes started! I arrived and then spent nearly an hour waiting, was then told that they were very busy with a birth, and could I come back another day!!!!

[Nymphadora]

At least you knew if you were in labour the midwives wouldn't leave you but I wouldn't have been happy

[missedith01]

I'm confused at all these dating scans at 12w. What if you decide you want the nuchal scan which must be done between 11-13 weeks? Isn't it cutting it a bit fine to say the least?

[Nymphadora]

We don't get a nuchal scan!

[CathN]

missedith01 - my 12 week scan is for both dating and nuchal together

[BurnyHill]

I've been in 2 different counties and neither offered a nuchal scan, could have paid privately as some friends have but didn't. I didn't think many places offered it on the NHS or maybe I just live in the wrong places!