edinburgh midwife or GP?

[sparklytoes]

Hi, anyone in the Edinburgh area who can let me know how things work?! I think I remember seeing adverts on buses a wee while ago about contacting midwives as soon as you find out you are prgenant? Did I dream that?! If I didn't, is there a way to do that directly or do you go through your GP first?
Ta

I saw the same adverts (the 'pregnant? tell me' ones with the jolly looking midwife?). My surgery told me I had to see the doctor first but when I told the doc why I was there she looked a bit bemused! She asked me a few questions, felt my tummy and sent me on my way with a referral to the midwife.

I realise that's no help whatsoever but just thought I'd share - maybe call your doctors and ask them?

Congratulations!

Yes, those were the ones! I knew I hadn't dreamt that up! I'm trying to call doctors but no answer for 2 days, they must be closed with the snow. Its only early days for me, but I've been having cramps and just want to check things are ok. I wonder what happened to those ads? I haven't seem them recently, maybe there are others like me who would quite like to tell a jolly looking midwife but we don't know how to!!

No definitely not a dream! I kept seeing them while TTC and had to resist the urge to draw a moustache on poor old Jolly Midwife.

I'm only 11 weeks so pretty early days for me too - I'm pretty clueless about everything to be honest! If you're worried about cramping could you call NHS 24 for advice?

Hiya Sparklytoes, you're right, you see the midwife first. I picked up a card with the advert you're talking about from my GP, but I can't for the life of me find it! If you're having cramps though, you could try the Early Pregnancy Centre at the Royal. Their phone no is 0131 242 2438. Hope you're feeling better soon x

Hiya, Thanks for advice - I gave the early pregnancy centre at the royal a ring - they were really helpful, told me that it was perfectly normal and not to be worried unles I get other symptoms. THey have put my mind at rest a bit. Its like a whole new world all of this!
Have you got your scan soon serenajoy? Good luck!

I'm in Midlothian and went to doctor's surgery to request appointment, and explained why I needed one as we'd only just moved and were registering that day with GP. The receptionist just looked blank and said "we don't do maternity". I was completely confused! I had to ask who did do 'maternity', if the doctor didn't, before the light suddenly dawned on her face and she said I needed to call the midwife and gave me a leaflet.

If you look at this link www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/community/edinburghCHPs/NorthEdinburghCHP/maternity_NE.asp and call the midwife closest to you, they should set you up with an appointment. Good luck!

Yes I've got my scan on Friday afternoon! I'm excited and terrified in equal measures. Glad you got some reassurance from the EPU, it's so hard trying to figure out whether a particular symptom is something to worry about, isn't it.

I went to my GP first who then referred me to the midwives. I had my booking appointment with the midwives at about 10 weeks, and my first scan at 12 weeks (I'm now 20 weeks today and have my next scan on Friday!).

Before I was booked in with the midwives I was very sick with hyperemesis. My doctor wasn't helpful at all, kept dismissing me saying it was normal pregnancy stuff. I ended up being ambulanced into hospital! The Royal Infirmary maternity triage and assessment folks were really good and said to call them if I had any further problems before being booked in with the community midwives, so they might be a good one to call if you are worried. Just call up the RI and ask to be put through to maternity triage and assessment.

Good luck :)

See you GP if you need any bloodtests done, eg if you have underactive thyroid or might be anaemic. It can seem a very long time till the first midwife appointment!

THanks all, I managed to get hold of GP and they gave me the number of the midwife direct. I phoned and it was really efficient, they booked me in for my first midwife appointment and also for my scan(!). They even asked me where I wanted to give birth - aargh! I haven't even thought that far ahead yet!

I called surgery when I found out and was given number for local midwives. Like you I was given MW appt for 8 weeks and scan for 12 weeks. Was quite surprised that they never did a pregnancy test and just took my word for it! Midwife has been great and at 23 weeks still haven't needed to see GP.

Have to say I have found all services in Edinburgh to be fantastic.

Good Luck x