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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Disappointing first doctors appointment

30 replies

karatekimmi · 28/09/2011 22:21

am only just pregnant (5weeks) and had my doctors appointment. He didn't ask if I had done a test and he didn't do a test to see if I was actually pregnant.For All my questions he seemed to pull the answers out of thin air and most of them didn't agree with books and Internet sites I've looked at. Not sure who or what to trust!!
Is this normal or should I just wait for my scan?

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PamBeesly · 28/09/2011 22:26

Hi Karate my GP didn't do a test, just took my word for it. Mine also didn't seem interested. Do you think he gave you incorrect information about something? My GP was very blasé with me and said I should 'relax' about everything until I was sure my pregnancy was 'viable'. I thought that was very blunt. Everything did go ok, I was quite sick but managed fine. I changed GP's though and the one I have now is lovely.

Crosshair · 28/09/2011 22:27

I would say normal for gp. The booking appointment is alot more informative and you might even get a congratulations. :)

congratulations!

TheDetective · 28/09/2011 22:31

You don't need to see a GP - hence why it might have felt like a disappointing visit. You will get much more info when you book in to see the midwife - which you can do with out ever needing to see a GP :)

Northernlurker · 28/09/2011 22:31

Why would the GP do a test? You doubtless already have and home tests are as reliable as the GP's one. What did you want him to do? Presumably he's kicking things off for your bokking in? In all honesty there's bugger all else he can do with a 5 weeks pregnant woman.

SpeedyGonzalez · 28/09/2011 22:31

Ditto here. Though I vaguely recall getting a mildly positive response with one of my pregnancies.

You kind of hope that they'd acknowledge it as good news; it's like if you walked in and said 'Hey, doc, I'm finally clear of cancer' you'd want a bit of recognition of how totally brilliant that is.

Anyway...CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is awesome news. I am really pleased for you and hope the pregnancy and motherhood go brilliantly.

seeker · 28/09/2011 22:34

Why did you go to the gp?

thisisyesterday · 28/09/2011 22:36

a lot of places ask that you see the GP first and get a pregnancy pack.
at least, they do round here, so not that odd.
always seems like a great big waste of their time though!

Tigresswoods · 28/09/2011 22:36

Bless.

SurprisEs · 28/09/2011 22:36

Congratulations!

I'm now pregnant with DC2 but I remember last time the GP told me that nothing would be done until 8 weeks as the risk of miscarriage was high (sorry, not the nicest thing to read).

This time I didn't go to the GP until 8 weeks pregnant.

Last time didn't see a midwife until 11 weeks and this time I won't see one until 13 weeks, a week after my scan. I feel a bit abandoned (not sure if this is the right word to use) but truth is that nature just needs to take it's course at this stage.

Original poster

karatekimmi · 28/09/2011 22:38

Yeah, not sure those were the words Pam but that was definitely the vibe!

Wish I'd have known that I could book with a midwife without the 30 minute delayed appointment and confusion!

Still have unanswered questions about supplements ( although he did say take folic acid) medication I was on when I conceived (well it's too late to do anything about it now) and basically said if you lose it you'll find something to blame it on!

OP posts:

IHeartKingThistle · 28/09/2011 22:40

GP1, 1st baby:

Me: I took a pregnancy test and it was positive
GP (without looking up) And is this a good thing?

GP2, 2nd baby:

Me: I just wanted to tell you that I'm pregnant, I've got a couple of questions
GP: Well if the pregnancy continues we'll call you in at 14 weeks

I know you can't presume anything but FGS!

SurprisEs · 28/09/2011 22:45

Both times I got the "was this a wanted pregnancy?" question. I suppose a lot of women go to the GP to ask for an abortion, so they feel like they should ask before chucking folic acid down your throat. Not nice to hear though...

Livened · 28/09/2011 22:45

Sounds typical to me - I rang my surgery and the receptionist straight away said "oh no we don't deal with any antenatal care, please call the midwife unit at the hospital on...."

I think it's just a sad reality that until 8 weeks we don't get taken seriously because of the risk of miscarriage.

My community midwife care continues to be a bit debatable (I never see the same midwife and they all seem to be off sick when I ask), but at least the midwives at the hospital have been AMAZING.

Good luck with your pregnancy x

GwendolineMaryLacey · 28/09/2011 22:47

A lot of places make you see a GP first. I'm on my 3rd pregnancy and each time I've rung to arrange a mw appt and been sent to the GP first. They do bugger all though.

Original poster

karatekimmi · 28/09/2011 22:51

Well at least it's reassuring to hear it's not an unusual experience!

OP posts:

PamBeesly · 28/09/2011 22:54

Definitely take your folic acid karate and eat as healthily as you can (don't diet) drink lots of water and be prepared to be shattered tired in a few weeks, or even now. There are so many excellent sites online telling you what you can and can't eat. Not all bleeding is a sign of miscarriage, browb bleeding is quite common (especially 5-7 weeks) because of implantation. If you have any pain or red bleeding go to your Early Pregnancy Unit. I can't think of anything else but if there is something you need to know the pregnancy forum here is brilliant.

and.. CONGRATULATIONS

nakedandangry · 28/09/2011 22:58

the docs really aren't bothered! but congratulations here's some .

notlettingthefearshow · 28/09/2011 23:00

Mine was fine - brief and sufficiently informative. I think it's good they don't do much until you're 12 weeks and you are encouraged to try to get on with things and not tell people if possible. 2 of my friends who got pregnant at the same time as me miscarried at 8-9 weeks and took some comfort in the fact they had kept it secret because mc are so common.

It didn't bother me being asked if the pregnancy was wanted.

Once you see midwives and specialists at the hospital, it is different and they are all baby experts so it's wonderful. I actually love going to all my appointments as I feel so looked after.

Thanks you, NHS!

SurprisEs · 28/09/2011 23:15

Both pregnancies I told people quite early on I was pregnant. I'm quite needy (annoying) so I'm sure I would've told family/ close friends if I miscarried anyway. But that's just me. I do wish I'd heard the heart beat by now though (11 weeks) as it is very reassuring.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 29/09/2011 04:45

No I don't agree that it's a good thing to be encouraged not to tell people before 12 weeks, not at all. For a start I found that. Certain people, such as work colleagues, had to be told what happened, it was unavoidable. But it just means you have to tell them the whole story at once. And the fact that not many people knew made it a very lonely experience.

A poster on another thread recently said she hated how mc was seen as some sort of shameful secret that we're not supposed to talk about. And she was dead right. How many times have I seen threads started on here giving out about other women who are so stupid that they announce an early pg on Facebook etc? Why the hell shouldn't they?

Sorry for the hijack but your post really angered me.

pootros · 29/09/2011 05:06

congratulations karatekimmi! u better crackopen those ginger & lemon teabags !
IHeartKingThistle : re your GP's bedside manner!

Pastabee · 29/09/2011 06:29

I asked the receptionist and was referred straight to midwife. Very pleased about this after reading GP experiences on here. Midwife was lovely, interested and enthusiastic. Hopefully it will be the same for you at booking in appointment.

PlinkertyPlonk · 29/09/2011 09:01

Congratulations karatekimmi!

People on here are asking why you went to the GP, but to me it was the obvious thing to do if don't know how the system works.

I found the first few weeks scary because nobody is interested in seeing you until 8 weeks; it feels like a lifetime and meanwhile you are in a void with limited info. My GP was actually very lovely - told me NOT to stop cycling, riding etc if it's something I regularly do and am comfortable I can do it safely.

There is lots of conflicting advice, even from the professionals, so you need to prepare yourself for that and trust your common sense. I have a friend who gave me advice that was based on her own personal experience. It scared the living daylights out of me (she works in healthcare outcomes, so I take what she says seriously) but I came to the conclusion she'd had an unfortunate one-off experience and not to let it bother me. (Won't share the details as don't want to freak anyone else out)

There are lots of websites giving info on what to eat and what to avoid. My advice would be don't panic if you get it wrong once or twice.

I suggest you speak to your midwife unit - they will be very helpful and should be able to give you all the info you need.

Crosshair · 29/09/2011 09:10

I found not telling people before 12 weeks the best thing for me mc wise. People are different and hopefully as adults know what they want and need support wise from friends and family.

seeker · 29/09/2011 09:15

It would be really inappropriate for a gp to be too positive about a pregnancy until they know why someone has come to see them- not everyone is happy to be pregnant.

Oh and I couldn't agree more about the outrqgeousnss of the " secret til 12 weeks" advice. It's fine if that's how you what to play it, but loads of people don't, but think they have to. If you keep it secret and miscarry you then either have to grieve in secret, or tell both bits of news at once. Neither of these is a good option.

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