lottie I had a booking in appointment at kings yesterday. My letter told me to go to the midwives centre, so I duly went and got shouted at for not completing my form (well, just short of a shout) I got weighed in the corridor and had to give a urine sample (not in the corridor). They also did my height (and I have apparently shrunk by 3cm since last time, which can't be right).
Anyway I sat back down in my seat in the waiting area and was told that they were so short-staffed would I mind going to the hospital instead (I was quite relieved actually). So off I trotted with my notes up to 3rd floor (jubilee entrance). When I got there I was met with many screaming little babies. Apparently they aren't normally there, it was a tongue-tie clinic or something. I sat on my own in a big waiting area with nervous looking dads and empty carseats. Eventually a midwife came and got me, and basically from then on it was pretty straight forward. She asked questions, mainly. Wanted to know my history, obstetric and otherwise, and filled out a form on her screen.
I had bloods taken, my bp done, but that was it. No scans, no prodding of tummies, no listening to heartbeats.
I have to say that the midwife was utterly lovely as was the clinic manager, who kept offering me drinks and I was offered a fairy cake (after I told them about dd, maybe they were being kind). So, they are a nice bunch, but it does take up to 2 hours. Mainly because you have to wait at the start, then because their computers are dodgy and freeze. Assuming it is all well, I'd say it could be done in an hour...but I went in at
4pm to the midwifery centre and emerged at around 6.30 from the hospital.
Good luck!!!
How was Zurich by the way?
Re the cheese everyone, I think it's actually fine in the UK as it is generally pasteurised. Unpasteurised soft cheeses are the problem, but for example, brie sold pr produced in the uk, will be pasteurised, but brie in a small french market town would be dubious.