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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Booking appointment... bring DH?

23 replies

Smiler80 · 08/12/2010 11:22

Hi everyone,

I've got my booking appointment in 2 days' time (Friday) and I was wondering whether to bring DH along. I like the idea of him being there the first time, but wonder if he'll feel rather superfluous. Do most people bring their DHs along?

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ficam · 08/12/2010 11:25

Hello, I didnt but I think it would be fine for him to be there as mostly they just do paperwork so need to know all about both of your family and medical history's. I think it would have been helpful to have him there as I found I forgot to mention a few things and its nice to have someone extra to take in all the info. Hope it goes well!

PinkElephant73 · 08/12/2010 11:26

I did for the first baby but not for the others, there is not much for him to do/say unless he has questions or worries.

my OH has attended scans, and will be coming to my next MW appt with the DCs so they can hear the heartbeat, but thats all he's been to.

HarkTheHeraldEverything · 08/12/2010 11:26

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goodlifemummy · 08/12/2010 11:26

I didn't bother with either pg - its just loads of questions, medical history (of both of you) blood test etc. He'll be bored stiff!

thefurryone · 08/12/2010 11:26

Mine came but only because I also had a scan at the same appointment. He didn't participate in anything other than the scan, so I guess if it's just going to be going through your medical history, weighing, bloods etc there he probably doesn't need to be there unless you would like him around for some moral support.

PinkElephant73 · 08/12/2010 11:27

ps my OH had no idea at all about his family's medical history so was completely useless on that front. you will be asked those questions again anyway by the health visitor after the baby is born.

ItalianLady · 08/12/2010 11:27

Do you mean the appointment to tell the doctor you are pregnant? If so, then no, it isn't really worth him being there ime. Save his time off work for scans.

Poledra · 08/12/2010 11:28

DH didn't come to any of my 3 booking-in appts - the only thing would be to make sure you know the medical history on his side of the family.

Bobby99 · 08/12/2010 11:30

I wouldn't bother taking DH - it's fairly boring, hardly likely to excite his enthusiasm for attending appointments in the future!

DuelingFanjo · 08/12/2010 11:31

Mine was done at home and DH was there. It probably was a bit boring for him though.

DancingThroughLife · 08/12/2010 11:33

I took DH - first pregnancy, didn't know what to expect etc. But it was on a Saturday. If he'd have had to take time off work I would probably have told him not to bother I think.

Original poster

Smiler80 · 08/12/2010 11:49

Thanks for all your quick replies! It's my first pregnancy, so I don't really know what to expect. It wouldn't be too hard for DH to take off work as it's first thing in the morning, but it sounds like there's not much point in him being there. I might let him off

( ItalianLady it's the first meeting with the midwife - I briefly saw the doctor on my own a few weeks ago. I imagine this appointment might be a bit longer...?)

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Original poster

Smiler80 · 08/12/2010 11:50

He'll definitely come along to scans though! I imagine he would be rather peeved if I told him to to come along to those.

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sh77 · 08/12/2010 11:53

Congratulations!

Don't bother taking OH. He will be bored. More exciting for him to be at the scans.

Original poster

Smiler80 · 08/12/2010 11:58

Oops of course meant he would be peeved if I told him NOT to come along to those :)

Thanks sh77!

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Bicnod · 08/12/2010 11:59

I took DH to booking appointment when pg with DS1 but didn't bother with DC2 (booking appointment this morning in fact!)

As everyone else has said - scans are the important bit - definitely have him there for those.

Congratulations

Pinetreeland · 08/12/2010 12:14

I took mine to the booking appointment and it wasn't too exciting really. If he is needed for blood tests etc he would be called in to give his blood sample, which happened to us because i got funny blood.

He would love to go to the scans though.

ecuse · 08/12/2010 13:37

Echoing this. No need for him to be at routine midwife or doctors appointments as they're very boring (just endless collection of fluids so far as I can see). But obviously the scans are a different matter. First MW appt my OH came to was my 20 week, just because he'd come along for the scan beforehand, and he was bored rigid.

Ask him in advance about wehther his parents/grandparents/uncles and aunts had heart disease/cancer/anything notable if you want to be prepared in advance.

Original poster

Smiler80 · 08/12/2010 13:41

Good idea ecuse I'll definitely quiz him. What sort of family history do they want to know in your experience?

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BuffyJ · 08/12/2010 16:50

My DP has come to all my midwife appointments so far. It is our first and its lovely to have someone as excited as me to chat to straight after. I think its also a nice way to make him feel part of everything as, sometimes, it seems that dads to be can feel a bit excluded.
Also helps me because my memory is like a sieve at the mo!

Teasie · 08/12/2010 21:37

Agreed- the booking appt is boring. I had to ring him when I was at the clinic as there were some questions on the form about his health. He goes to the scans now and that makes him very happy indeed :)

SaorAlba · 08/12/2010 21:43

I took DP with me. Was good to have two of us there in case I forgot to ask anything. I think it was nice for him to be involved. Just asked him and he says he thinks it was a nice start to the whole medical part of the experience. Things like the scans involve a level of worry which the booking in appointment just doesn't have. It was nice for me to have him there too.

Original poster

Smiler80 · 10/12/2010 15:38

So... I went to my booking appointment today without DH - turned out that was the right decision as they didn't ask a single thing that had anything to do with him. In fact, there wasn't even a second chair in the room! Glad I didn't bring him to squat on the floor mutely :)

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