I didn't have HIGH expectations of my local GP, but geeeeez...!

[DangerMousey]

Went to the GP this evening because I have just found out I am pg (5 weeks).

From what my pg friends had warned me, I wasn't expecting much in the way of this first appointment, but seriously, I got nothing! - no mention of what I should/shouldn't be eating, no information to take away. Nada. It's a good job I've done a bit of research myself online re: food to avoid etc, but this is pretty poor, right??

The only thing I did get was a roll of the eyes and a tired-sounding explanation that since our local maternity unit closed down last year, it's now "very complicated" as I can choose from 2 other hospitals (both around 30 minute drive away) in which to give birth, but will still continue to have my scans and other appointments in the old hospital (which still has an antenatal unit - just birthing facilities).

Not exactly filling me with confidence as it's my first pregnancy...!

Anyone else had similarly uninspiring experiences with their GPs?

LaTristesse - exactly.

It's different if you want a termination of course. But even then the GP will just refer you on, he/she is not there to counsel you about your decision. Realistically there is little or nothing you can do to avoid miscarriages. Of course you should keep yourself healthy but there's nothing the GP can tell you to actually prevent a miscarriage. If you have a medical condition the GP will know about that and help you to manage it, because that is their remit.

Agree it is not GP's remit. My GP didn't even confirm pregnancy - all she did was notify the hospital/midwives who then contacted me for first booking appointment. It is at this appointment that you get all the advice/questions/tests etc. I just assumed that GPs/midwives don't make a big issue of pregnancy before booking appointment at 10-12 weeks because of the risks of miscarriage in early pregnancy.

The "confirming pregnancy" thing is so old-fashioned, I'm really surprised that anyone thinks they still do that! In the time before home pregnancy tests a woman would miss a period and then the GP would have to palpate her abdomen or do an internal to "confirm pregnancy." Now that you can do a highly reliable test at home there's absolutely no need for them to do that any more.

I suppose it would be a very good idea for the NHS to get the idea out there that the GP isn't the one to go to for a pregnancy.

Agree with that. I don't care who advises people as long as there's somewhere to go.

I actually think it would be a good idea to let people bypass the GP altogether and go to a gynaecologist directly with all things to do with contraception, cancer screening, conception, pregnancy, the lot. That was the deal when I lived in France. I didn't go to the GP for any of these things, the GP was for when you had the flu and needed a sick note for work. For anything ongoing you went to the relevant specialist.

My GP was great, mind you she is a mum of three and had referred me to the reproductive medicine unit recently, so knew what a big deal it was for me.

She even broke into the midwives office and got me the big pregnancy book and copies of all the leaflets to be going on with until my first MW appointment.

I'm very early on with DC1 (aged 40 - me obviously, not DC1) - it was a bit of a shock as we hadn't expected to get pregnant so quickly. I'd previously made an appt with the doc for the day after I took the test and just to chat to her about improving chances of getting pregnant at my age, the risks etc. As it happened I went in and said I had a BFP and she was straight on the case - gave me the option of two maternity units and explained the pros and cons for each. Dictated the letter to the one I chose whilst I was sitting there and gave me the opportunity of asking questions (I couldn't think of any sitting there! Doh! Missed opportunity). Felt quite reassured by her - she seemed pretty well informed.

Was surprised that she just took my word for it though (didn't take the test in with me), but from other posts, it seems like they just bundle you off to the maternity unit. But the GP was the obvious place to go first - I wouldn't have had a clue about approaching the maternity unit direct or what the heck to do.

Anyway, got the letter today from the Maternity Unit for my booking in appt for two weeks time.

yes, I was surprised to see an nhs poster in my gps surgery the other day saying - essentially - if you're pg come and see us straightaway, as I just got a flustered doc last time who said take your folic acid and i'll do a referral to the hospital - he never did and I ended up self-referring.

so this time self-referred at 11w, and just booked 2 mw appts to coincide with scans at 13 and 20, then saw gp last week at 28 as hospital dont see you after 20w. much more relaxed, but when its your first time round you really need someone to tell you what to do and who to see when!

Really depressed reading all of these stories. My GP was so lovely and I just assumed it was normal

Went to see him to say I was pregnant. He asked how I felt about it then having established it wasn't a terrible mistake gave me advice about eating, folic acid etc. asked me about my pregnancy history (and expressed appropriate sympathy), weighed me, took my blood pressure, told me to call him if I wanted any further advice, congratulated me again and explained I'd probably need to be under consultant care as my history is poor. oh and he gave me the free prescription form there and then on top of all that he called MW in front of me and explained he was sending a patient who'd had a really bad time in the past and he'd write to her about it so she'd know the background before my booking in appointment. Then he congratulated me again and told me not to worry about a thing as he, the consultant and a really experienced mw would be looking after me. Then he phoned me at 10, 20 and 30 weeks to see how I was

Mind you that was a few years ago it could all have changed for the worse!

To be fair I'd previously had a 38 week still birth followed by dreadful depression and other complications so perhaps his reacton was not that surprising

my gp just took my word for it and said i needed to book and see the midwife at 8 weeks where tgey discuss dos and donts fill in paperwork take bloods and wee samples and request your scan (they use your 12 week scan as confimation of the pregnancy)
ems x