Booking appointment today - nerves!

[Beans1977]

Hi everyone

I've got my first booking appointment with the MW this afternoon (am 11 weeks) and am a bit nervous.

I understand it's mostly form-filling but I'm desperate to heat the baby's heartbeat - is it possible that might happen today do you know? Is there anything I should do in advance / be aware of?

Thanks in advance for any help
xx

Urine sample.
In the area I am in, they don't listen for heartbeat until after 16 weeks. So you are unlikely to get to hear your babies heartbeat yet, but it may differ from PCT to PCT.

Here they do blood tests aswell, but that's not done everywhere at this appointment either.

Some midwives will not look for a heartbeat as they do not always find it at that stage and they argue it can cause the mother anxiety if they don't hear it.

From what I remember mine did and did find the heartbeat. You should be getting your first scan in the next 2 weeks anyway, so even if they don't its not that much longer to wait!

It is basically just form filling.

Thanks! I wondered if it might be too early to do the heartbeat - think I'm just desperate to know if there is a baby in there or not... my scan is next week so not too much longer to wait!

Thanks again

Nope, they almost certainly won't listen for a heartbeat. Your baby is still right down behind the public bone and it's very difficult to find. 16wks + in most places. In fact they won't go near your stomach at all.

You might have blood tests but they might do that at the hospital when you have your scan.

Otherwise lots and lots of forms, medical and family history, height, weight, bp etc and they'll give you your handheld notes and a load of leaflets.

pubic bone.

Your appointment will probably more boring than you are expecting - endless forms and questions.
My MW did try for a heart beat but couldnt find one...which was stressful for me - sorry, better to wait til scan.

Thanks everyone - feel I have a better idea of what to expect now, so thanks. It's only a week until my scan so I will have to try and be a bit more patient... although patience is not a virtue I possess in abundance!
thanks again x