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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

10 weeks til 1st appointment!

30 replies

apples82 · 10/02/2011 18:10

Is this right??

I've just been and spoken to the receptionist at our doctors surgery.

I don't have to see the doctor. I've filled in a form for the midwife.

The midwife doesn't see me until 10 weeks! No one until then even checks that I am pregnant. I've been asked for nothing, no urine, no blood.

Is it only me slightly freaking out that no one is checking i'm actually pregnant??

From a crazy hormonal lady!!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

EauRouge · 10/02/2011 18:15

They don't check anyway, or at least I've never been checked! The first time I saw a GP and expected him to do another test but he said that home tests are so reliable these days that they don't bother.

This time around I just booked straight in with the MW at around 9 weeks, I think this can vary from area to area. I was asked if I wanted to see a GP but I figured there was no point if they weren't actually going to do anything other than say congratulations and don't forget your folic acid.

So perfectly normal, sorry! It does seem like a bloody long wait though. Congrats on your pregnancy btw. :)

mpops · 10/02/2011 18:15

You're not alone!

After getting my BFP on Sunday I called my surgery to ask what I needed to do and they said, "Ooh, you need to come in to have it all confirmed!" - which I thought was brilliant. But I went in today and GP said, "You seem to be due 5 October. We don't need to confirm. If you says you're pg then you are. Let's fill in the form for the hospital." And that was it. He didn't even give me any advice or asked me anything apart from the stuff he needed to fill in the form. Most anti-climactic appointment EVER...

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 10/02/2011 18:16

Sounds normal tbh.

They don't need to check - how would they check, other than a pg test which presumably you have done already anyway. Home ones are as reliable as the ones they use these days.

They will do any necessary tests at your first appointment and book you for dating/anomaly scans (if you want them).

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 10/02/2011 18:18

Sounds v.normal, don't worry :)

iskra · 10/02/2011 18:19

Totally normal, don't worry! With my first pregnancy I was amazed that nobody grasped what an important event this was & weren't rushing me in to see the doctor!

This is my second pregnancy & I knew I wouldn't see anyone till around 12 weeks but still feels a bit of a long time away...

del1 · 10/02/2011 20:48

This is my third, and with each one, they have said to book in with the local midwife.I had to pick up a pregnancy package from the doctors ( includes a wee sample bottle and a pregnancy folder I will use for all my appointments)
My appointmet is when I will be 12 weeks, all I have to do is fill in a few forms and take a urine sample with me.
I will then be refered for a scan date after that.
I am disapointed with this procedure, as the same happened last time, and due to it being so busy, didnt get my 12 week scan until I was 15 weeks!! I have a feeling the same will happen again this time.
I doubt that you will be late with the scan, it just seems to be where im from?!

whomovedmychocolate · 10/02/2011 20:51

Unless you require a dating scan there's not much to do before about 12 weeks anyway. Don't stress. There are way more annoying things about antenatal care in this country which you will discover in time :)

Whatevertheweather · 10/02/2011 21:02

Snap mpops also due 5th October. Is 2nd dc, first was big surprise and I had no idea how far along i was so they booked me in straight away and sent me for scan a week later....I was 14 weeks

this time we were trying so tested day af was due and got bfp. Rang docs - all v anti climatic as I actually knew my dates this time. Filled in a form and have to wait for midwives call to arrange booking in appt. After the hoo hah and surprise of the first I think the next 7 months may drag!

Original poster

apples82 · 10/02/2011 22:25

Well glad i'm not being completely crazy.

Funny thing is, for how very underwhelming the trip to the doctors was, the receptionist wanted me to choose there and then where I wanted to give birth.

I told her I only found out I was pregnant recently, I haven't even thought about the concept of giving birth, let alone which place to do so. She seemed like it was not a big deal choosing.

I left telling her there was no way I could pick on the spot, i'd need to do a bit of research and i'd tell the midwife when I see her on my 10th week!

OP posts:

EthelredOnAGoodDay · 10/02/2011 22:31

Same here and also discussion with mw very early on (possibly at booking appt) as to where i'd want to give birth. I guess it might be for forecasts on staffing??? But agree with everyone above. Total anticlimax. My DH took even had the afternoon of work! ha ha ha!

Good luck with it all.

EthelredOnAGoodDay · 10/02/2011 22:32

** off work....

Original poster

apples82 · 11/02/2011 08:03

Well i'm hoping my MW at least calls me shortly to at least tell me due date and introduce herself, I don't think I can bear not to know ANYTHING until the 10th week

OP posts:

EauRouge · 11/02/2011 08:22

Don't worry, you can change your mind about where you give birth up until quite late. Not sure if the MW will ring and introduce herself, they are usually pretty busy although you should have been given a number to call if anything is worrying you.

They will work out your EDD based on your last period and until you get a dating scan then that's what they'll use so you can work it out yourself. Accuracy depends on how regular your cycle usually is.

Original poster

apples82 · 11/02/2011 08:28

Looking forward to hearing about a dating scan then

OP posts:

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 11/02/2011 10:25

apples I doubt you will hear from anyone if you've already got your appointment booked.

Each area/surgery seem to do things differently, with ours the midwife refers for a scan once she has seen you, but I know that in some places the hospital sends you through an appointment separately.

There is a due date calculator on MN somewhere that will tell you when your EDD is based on the date of your last period.

Original poster

apples82 · 11/02/2011 11:19

I more wanted to talk to someone like MW as i've had pain in my shoulder and still cramping- didn't know if it was anything to worry about?

Would it be wrong to ring her to ask?

OP posts:

snice · 11/02/2011 11:22

I don't want to worry you unecessarily but shoulder pain can - in some cases- be quite serious so I think you should contact your MW immediately

It can be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy

snice · 11/02/2011 11:25

bumping because I have to go out now-is anyone else around?

Original poster

apples82 · 11/02/2011 11:26

Oh blimey, i'm at work until the end of day :-/

I don't have her number on me, would I be crazy to ring the surgery to ask for it?

OP posts:

snice · 11/02/2011 11:28

please don't panic too much.
Have a look at this list of symptoms and see what you think

snice · 11/02/2011 11:29

Its just that shoulder tip pain is one of the classic signs and another MNetter recently had a scare

EauRouge · 11/02/2011 11:31

No, you would not be crazy to phone and ask! There's no point sitting around worrying all day when a phone call might put your mind at ease :)

Original poster

apples82 · 11/02/2011 11:50

It's like in the ball on my shoulder, making the top of my arm ache. I felt it a couple of days ago and thought I must have slept on it, but now its achy again.

I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with the MW though, I haven't even met her yet

OP posts:

happycamel · 11/02/2011 11:50

As you have shoulder pain then phone the midwives and ask. Especially if you've never had it before. I don't think anyone on MN can help you with that aspect really.

As regards the rest, you'll know your approximate due date from your LMP and it'll be confirmed at the 12 week scan. If you have a problem do call and ask but until the baby is viable (at about 26 weeks) there's very little then can do so don't expect too much. If they establish you as higher than normal risk at your booking in appointment you'll be offered additional referrals and support then.

I hate to say it but one reason they don't get involved earlier is because a small but significant number of pregnancies end in m/c before about 10 weeks. Its bad enough going through one (have done myself at 7 weeks) without having to phone people and tell them and cancel appointments and as I said before, there's nothing they can do for you anyway. Home pg tests are the same as the ones they'd use and are reliable.

I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just not sure what you think they can do for you. They need to spend their time with women who have known risks and women near the end of the pregnancies where they could do something for the baby if they detect a problem.

happycamel · 11/02/2011 11:52

oh heavens, just seen your last post. Just call her, she's not going to be offended or upset just tell her how far along you are and describe the pain and see what she says. You should get in contact for specific things that concern you, you shouldn't expect appointments and checks if everything is fine and normal.

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