to think that 12 weeks is an awfully long time to go without seeing a midwife?

[Georgimama]

And let's just clear up right away that I don't mean the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

I am pregnant with DC2 (although this is pregnancy 4 due to MCs) and I last saw MW at 16 weeks. I have anomaly scan at 21 weeks and then I am not to see MW again until 28 weeks. My urine and blood pressure won't be checked at the anomaly scan, so that's 12 weeks without either being checked. I think that is too long.

Would it be unreasonable to make a GP appointment for about 24 weeks and just ask for a urine sample to be dipped and my BP checked?

I had my third last year after a 10 year gap. No problems with dd1/2 other than needing a section. This time I had a 5 min booking appt & as I had High BP was on meds. I had some problems which I saw GP over and ended up seeing the consultant every two weeks from 16-36 weeks followed by weekly until 38 week section. You can't guarantee every pregnancy being the same.

Sounds normal to me. Its not that a 2nd pregnancy is any safer, its that you haven't shown any tendencies to any problems in your first that needs specific monitoring. Its not until the 3rd trimester that things like pre-eclampsia and GD will normally be picked up anyway.

If it makes you feel any better gestational diabetes doesn't usually occur until around 28 weeks which is why they don't bother testing for it before then (I had it during my pregnancy).

The reason for having more checkups in the third trimester is because most obstetric issues occur in the third trimester.

As others have said, if anyone has any particular concerns before then, they can contact their medical team for advice.

I think it's a good way to proceed, we're all used to being vigilant when not pg and only contacting our GPs or whoever if we feel the need. Same principle.

I saw a midwife at 10 weeks for booking in, urine tested and bloods taken, she told me to come back at 28 weeks, so that is an 18 week gap with no tests or check up's.

Obviousley have had my 12 week scan and my 20 week scan is in a few weeks but no other appointments. It does feel rather a long time, I am sure I saw a midwife a lot more with my first.

When people had babies 20 years ago like I did, it was not unusual to go 12 weeks. You had a scan, you then wasn't seen until 30 weeks.

Having a baby is no big deal, not sure why so many checks nowadays as opposed to 20 years ago. Total waste of public funds.

10 years ago when I had ds, I booked in with the midwife as soon as I realised I was pregnant, so about 8 weeks. Then saw her monthly which was standard, and good job I did as I explained up thread.

I had no idea people didn't see midwives regularly.

expat with the older ones I saw the MW at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39 &40 wks. In addition there were hospital appointments in between. Scans at 16-20 wks and then again at 32.

4 years ago my scan was at 12 weeks with another at 20 but I only saw the MW about half a dozen times in all. I had a couple of hospital appts but only because my blood tests came back high risk and I had to have amnio.

When I had DS 20 years ago my antenatal was about the same as Tallulah mentions above, aswell as getting a scan at 16 weeks.

It was a pain in the arse as this was all at the hospital 2 bus rides and a walk up a v steep hill away! I didnt drive then. It was no surprise you had a waiting room full of women with sky high blood pressue :o