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Original poster

First doc appointment when pregnant

22 replies

Bubba2ontheway · 14/02/2022 16:03

Hi
I've just got my BFP and I'm about 4+1 weeks pregnant going by my last period start date 17th Jan. Rang doctors and the receptionist was very reluctant to give me a gp appointment and told me to wait and ring back when I was exactly 8 weeks... This is my second baby and I didn't experience this last time. I was seen at 5.5 weeks (this was during the pandemic) and given blood tests there and then. Had an easy pregnancy luckily. I am however really rather anaemic so I had higher doses of iron last time round and I'm keen to get that prescribed sooner rather than later as it wasn't managed well last time..
Anyway!! Anyone know when I should be seen for the first time? Is it before 8 weeks or is that sounding about right? Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks Smilexxxx

First doc appointment when pregnant
OP posts:
Original poster
Bubba2ontheway · 14/02/2022 16:06

P. S. I'm sorry if I've posted this in the wrong category. Think I have now.... Sorry!!!

OP posts:
SickAndTiredAgain · 14/02/2022 16:07

Are you in the UK? You don’t need to see a GP generally, just self refer to the midwife service (your GP receptionist should be able to tell you how to do this).

SickAndTiredAgain · 14/02/2022 16:08

Most people have bloods done at their booking appointment with the midwife. My GP wouldn’t have done that.

Ducksurprise · 14/02/2022 16:08

I didn't see a doctor, just self.reffered to midwife.

AFIK · 14/02/2022 16:08

Why do you need to see a GP? Receptionist should just refer you to the midwife. Or sometimes it’s self referral - check the surgery website. Make sure you’re taking folic acid and vitamin D.

ChittyBangs · 14/02/2022 16:08

I never seen my GP, self refer to MW

Original poster
Bubba2ontheway · 14/02/2022 16:10

Sorry. Meant midwife not GP. Can't self refer at my docs you have to go through the surgery.

OP posts:
FavouriteFortnight · 14/02/2022 16:13

I think it varies from place to place - my GP wanted to see me, it was just how they did things. It was a bit of a pointless appointment as the main thing it achieved was referring me into the midwife.

Maybe they’ve changed procedures locally OP? If you’re particularly worried about anaemia maybe you could make an appointment with your GP for that reason rather than it being because you are pregnant?

CorrBlimeyGG · 14/02/2022 16:13

Perhaps you confused the receptionist by repeatedly referring to doctor/ GP?

MrsTimRiggins · 14/02/2022 16:15

It’s not my experience, nor that of my friends, to have a GP appointment at all in early pregnancy unless for a specific health concern. The booking appointment with the midwives was the first appointment I had during my pregnancy and I think that was around 9 weeks or so?

Cas112 · 14/02/2022 16:16

You shouldn't need to see a GP if your in UK. You just need to arrange your booking in app via the midwife

MrsTimRiggins · 14/02/2022 16:16

Oh, cross post.. by a lot! Still tho, as I say, first midwife appointment was about 9, 9.5 weeks.

Ducksurprise · 14/02/2022 16:17

Our mw doesn't see women until 10 weeks

OooohAhhhh · 14/02/2022 16:19

I didn't have a doctors appointment, I just had a booking in appointment with the midwife. They timed it to happen at around the 8 week mark. So I guess they wait a bit until you're a bit further on with the pregnancy until you start having appointments etc

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 14/02/2022 16:21

If I remember rightly (it was about ) yrs ago) the booking in appt with MW was around the 8 week mark, then scan at 12 weeks.

If you google your city/county hospital trust and 'maternity services' you should find the details on how to refer and what to expect based on current process.

Original poster
Bubba2ontheway · 14/02/2022 16:24

Thanks all. Much appreciated. I've since rang back and spoke to a different lady who said they do self refer at my trust so she's kindly sent me the link via text Smile

@CorrBlimeyGG passive aggressive much? Grin

OP posts:
FrancesFlute · 14/02/2022 16:24

You don't need a GP appt Smile They won't test to confirm pregnancy - its a waste of borh of your time. Ring again and ask reception how to refer to midwife. For mine the receptionist booked me in for 9 weeks but it will no doubt vary by locality. I had bloods taken by MW then. Mention your iron issue to her but take a pregnancy multivitamin with folic acid (presume you are already!)
Congratulations.

CorrBlimeyGG · 14/02/2022 16:25

Glad you got it resolved. Easily sorted once you realised your mistake (without trying to blame the receptionist) Wink

Original poster
Bubba2ontheway · 14/02/2022 16:46

Thanks @FrancesFlute for the congrats. Taking the vitamins! Forgot how large some of the vitamins are haha.

I can tell you're very hostile @CorrBlimeyGGope because not once did I blame the receptionist. She told me false information and it was her mistake but not biggy & it's all sorted. I was confused by the info she gave to me. Hope you find some sort of happiness in reality so you don't have to make silly remarks to strangers Flowers

OP posts:
lakejupiter · 14/02/2022 18:06

@CorrBlimeyGG

Glad you got it resolved. Easily sorted once you realised your mistake (without trying to blame the receptionist) Wink
This is so patronising 🥴 glad you got it sorted out OP and congratulations!!
Bringonbaby3 · 14/02/2022 19:14

I’m same as you currently! Hadn’t even considered contacting anyone yet as seems way too early?! Never seen GP in early pregnancy before. Usually first contact is with midwife around 8 weeks (think I self referred around that time last time?). Your iron levels won’t have suddenly dropped due to the positive pregnancy test…

HermioneGr · 15/02/2022 09:45

@CorrBlimeyGG so rude!
Congratulations OP!

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