What to expect at first appointment?

9 replies

FlangelinaBallerina · 14/12/2011 17:59

Mine is next week, with the midwife. I'll be 8 weeks. This is DC1, so have no idea what to expect really. I know there'll be no scan yet, but do they do internals? I haven't had any medical attention during the pregnancy yet, as my GP doesn't do it now and they send all the pregnant women to the midwives for care. Have been sent the booklet, and filled in as much of it as I can.

If I could make a special request- please nobody mention being sick. I'm keeping it at bay at the moment, but get triggered by reading about it (so am having to stay off the baby bus threads!).

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DizzyKipper · 14/12/2011 18:21

With me they just found out a lot of factual information, like name, address, medical history etc. and they also went through the dos/don'ts with me. They also took some blood. Nothing too exciting, no internals and no checking for heartbeat.

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FlangelinaBallerina · 14/12/2011 18:23

How boring!

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EsmeWeatherwax · 14/12/2011 18:29

Yeah, its a big disappointment! Very routine stuff.

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FlangelinaBallerina · 14/12/2011 18:32

So they don't talk about birth options or anything like that? I haven't really thought about it yet anyway, just wondered if I ought to ahead of the appointment. Maybe a water birth would be nice, but I don't know anything much about anything. Not very prepared for all this!

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Flisspaps · 14/12/2011 18:36

Unless you have problems such as bleeding or waters breaking early you shouldn't have any internals until labour (and you can refuse those) or if you accept a membrane sweep after 41 weeks

Flisspaps · 14/12/2011 18:37

I was asked where I planned to give birth at my booking in appt, and at every appt since, but nothing is confirmed until later anyway

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FlangelinaBallerina · 14/12/2011 18:45

Good to know, Flisspaps. Just wanted to know whether I'll need to tidy up and wear best knickers!

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bettieblue · 14/12/2011 18:46

Hi, they basically take some blood for various tests, weigh you, measure your height and ask you a ton of questions about your medical history, family medical history, fathers medical history and about your lifestyle ie; do you drink, smoke , take drugs etc. Birthing options come way down the line, the nhs do free sessions on the birth which tell you about whats available as lots of hospitals now have birthing centres if you don't want much drug intervention. You can write a birthplan but the midwives i saw weren't that keen/ bothered about one. I get the feeling that they have lots of first time mums who insist on natural drug free births and when it comes to the birth change their mind. They told me to keep my options open!

congratulationd.

MrsHoarder · 14/12/2011 20:48

I had my weight, height, medical history (plus family, diet, drink, smoke, drugs etc), bllod pressure taken, urine sample (don't pee right before the appointment unless you've already got a sample jar), tests discussed and bloods taken, told when appointments would be, who to ring, antenatal class details, foods to avoid, exercise, stacks of information leaflets...

I also had the flu jab, they offered me the chance to go away and think about it but I just wanted it over with.

It took nearly an hour though, so you might want to think about taking a bottle of water to sip.

Flip