Why would I need to see the doctor for my 16 week check up?

[DetectivePotato]

At my booking in appointment, the midwife said to make an appointment with her for my 16 week check.

I phoned the doctors today and they said it says on my notes that I have to see the doctor for my 16 week check.

Why would this be? I know last time I saw the midwife cause it was the first time we listened to the heartbeat. I didn't think you saw the doctor in your pregnancy unless you go for something.

I think it depends on how your healthcare trust work - in Wiltshire it's all midwife led but in some places it is shared between midwife and GP, maybe that is the case where you are?

Hi

In my health authority, I have to see the GP for 2 of ny standard check ups - I've only had one so far but the GP just did the same checking etc as the midwife did.

I couldn't really see the point of it but that's the way it works here - something to do with community midwives sharing care with GPs - perhaps where you are is the same?

However, it was useful in the end as when I said I was suffering from heartburn she prescribed me gaviscon - which has saved me a few quid! I don't think that the midwife could have done that.

midwife has no appointments free?

Its not the midwife. It says on my notes that I have to see the doctor for this check up. My health authority do it all by midwife unless there is a 'problem' thats why its odd, plus the midwife told me at my booking in I would be seeing her at 16 weeks.

I was anaemic last year and my iron levels were dropping before even though I wasn't quite anaemic anymore, maybe thats why.

phone them back tomorrow and ask why.

I had to go to the hospital for my 16 week check up, which is apparently normal in this area. They basically did all the same checks as the MW and officially 'discharged' me - I think it's easier if they find something (high BP or similar) to get you into the system rather than being referred by the MW, but who knows!?

I think they just like to have your details on their records so that if anything happens later in pregnancy they have something to refer back to.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about though .

I had to go see the GP - it was because I'm Rhesus negative. I suspect its just one of your blood test results, and if you've been anaemic before, its bound to be that your blood count was low. If there was a serious concern, they'd have brought you in sooner, so it really should be nothing to worry about!

Makes sense WWSB

I phoned the surgery after I had the bloods and the receptionist gave me the results and my iron levels were only 0.2 above being anaemic. I expect thats what its for.

In my area 16 week appointments are at the doctor's too. Think it's because the hospital is overrun!

As I said, this isn't common practice in this area and the midwife told me I would be seeing her at 16 weeks after my booking in. Thats why I thought it was weird that it now says on my notes to see the GP.

They should really be contacting you if there is any changes to your scheduled care, I would ring back and ask to speak to the doctor or Midwife for clarification it may be nothing or as above it could be due to your blood results either way you need someone to explain to you so you can rest easy and not stress out.

I think the way they have handled this isn't great my midwife calls me all the time about changes to my schedule as I have kidney complications that need checked if she can't get hold of me she calls my DH to let me know what is happening and why so I am at ease.

Ok, I'll give them a ring. I need to ask about some medication I'm suppose to take too.

DP - I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, probably is the anaemia.

Our surgery share care, we get alternate appointments GP and midwife.