Problem getting antenatal care

[GBinning]

Here is our situation:
Newly engaged & also pregnant (13 weeks),
Have just moved into a houseboat together in London, totally unsuitable and are moving out at end of month. Therefore no bills or proof of address.
My fiancé has no GP.

Without these we have a had serious problems getting antenatal care, she has not had 8-10 week check-up and really needs a scan asap.

She is otherwise perfectly healthy in weight and general constitution.

Is it ok to wait till 14-15 weeks when we will be properly settled to organise the relevant check-ups and scans. Is there a way to arrange any sort of antenatal care in the meantime?

Thanks in advance.

14-15 weeks will be too late for the nuchal test (if you want that done). She is on the borderline now.

Apart from the scan, she isn't missing much. The booking in appointment is just form filling. The take urine and bloods too, but I don't think a delay of a few weeks will hurt with those.

Have you called your local community midwives and discussed the situation with them? Can you afford to get a private scan if you want the nuchal test (that is realistically the only way you are going to get in in time at this point)? There are also private midwives who offer antenatal care, if you want to go down that route.

I think your fiance can self refer to the midwives - if you look on the website for maternity services in your borough, see if theres anything about services for women without GPs, which might be under homelessness, or you could call the local maternity unit and ask what the procedure is.

To have a nuchal scan, it will need to be done before 14 weeks, so best to get something organised asap

Thanks all, will try and sort it out.

I went private because my NHS scan was rubbish - they couldn't get a nuchal scan or any other measurement, and the pictures were really dark and hard to make out. If I hadn't gone private, I would have been offered the quadruple bllod test to screen for Downs etc, which can be donw between 15 and 20 weeks - if you miss your scan, the NHS should offer you that.

It was about 200 for our private scan and well worth the money if you can afford it - the pictures were miles better and the consultant looked at everything in far more detail. We felt really well cared for.

Congratulations on your engagement and pregnancy!

I don't know whereabouts you're based in London, but she can definitely self refer to the maternity unit at the Whittington in Archway.