Meeting the midwife for the first time. What should I expect?

[McPhee]

I've now officially been put on the midwife's list, and been told to wait for her to ring me. My gp said she'll visit me at home first, then I'll see her at the surgery. I probably am sounding completely clueless, well, erm, because I am

What happens, and what info will she need from me?

Thank you, I promise I'll get better at this pregnany lark

a gin soaked hagh who will lie to you, fabricate your notes and refuse to tell you anyhing useful, yet manage to offend you by suggesting you follow some guidelines.

good luck.

ah, do I sense some issues.

or in reality.

she'll give you some leaflets, check your wee, blood pressure and weight. you'll chat about your medical history and your pregnancy, she'll fill in a million forms and give you a plan of when you'll see her throughout your pregnancy, you'll discuss screening tests, blood tests and scans.

and everyone is clueless first time around. read lots.

Lots of basic information about you and DH, family history etc.

Blood test and possibly urine check.

Will check with you dates and book in a scan or tell you how to book it at the hospital.

Lots of do and don'ts and leaflets about information you probably already know etc

Congrats!

I was very unsure what to expect but they did as Crevix said and was really friendly.

Mine told me that broccoli was better to eat than chocolate. She had a brightly coloured picture to show this.

The next one told me about the magic of pregnancy.

Relax and don't stress about the midwives

About 7 minutes.

Someone who's nice but, will make you go to a room full of sick people at 7am to take some blood samples because she's a bit of a wimp and says that taking blood from you is like taking blood from a rock :P
True story!
Saying that I've had 3 midwife appointments and 3 completely different experiences. The first one was as mentioned, the second was nice and efficient (I liked her) and the third was efficient but, just that no warmth no people skills.

I had to lie down whilst she felt around a bit, filled in some forms

asked about any heriditary conditions.

My booking appt.s were both about an hour long. We covered everything Crevix mentions.

If your DP is only going to attend one MW appt. - this is the big one. He will probably be asked to give a few details of his own medical background plus it's a good chance to find out how the system works in your area. A second pair of ears to listen and remember everything can be really useful.

Thank you everyone. Well I've still not had a call from her yet, so I'm guessing its going to be next week now.

The dad doesn't want to know, so its very much me on my own with this pregnancy. I just hope I can answer enough questions. I do know he hasn't got any medical conditions which could affect the pregnancy. I actually feel rather embarrassed about this

Don't worry; I do have a DH, but went to all these things by myself, it was fine .

McPhee dont worry, I am single too and didn't have a clue about the dads family history - he refused to tell me his blood group, the whole lot - and it was completely fine, I promise! I actually told the midwife I was a bit embarrassed about not knowing and she was as lovely as could be.

I second what everyone else is saying about the waffling on though, I was in there about an hour and a half and watched while she filled in a million forms - I ended up offering to help and writing some of them.

Just enjoy the feeling that it is really happening and prepare to be poked a bit while she takes blood :)