Do I need to see a gp first?

[WeeLors]

Hi,

I've just found out I'm pregnant with DC2 and have not arranged an appointment with a gp/midwife yet. I seem to remember there being posters around in pharmacies and surgeries a few years ago saying you don't need to see a gp first, just go straight to a midwife if you're pregnant. Is this right? And do I just make a booking appointment straight away or do they like to see you for a quick appointment first?

With DS, I in South America when I found out I was pregnant so didn't see a midwife til I got back to the UK when I was 17 weeks gone (I arranged a private dating scan at 12wks while travelling). I saw my gp when I first got back to the UK though cos I didn't know any different. I then just made a general appointment with the midwife after seeing him cos the gp didn't mention a booking in appointment and she grumbled through the whole thing cos I only had a normal time slot instead of a booking one. As I say though, I was 17wks gone then so I imagine booking in was urgent whereas I'm only 4wks now.

Was going to just call gp surgery and ask but thought I'd check on here first, one of the receptionists at my surgery is a right cow so don't want to chance getting her.

You should make a booking in appointment with the midwife for when you will be about 8 weeks pregnant. The receptionist should be able to do that for you, or at least give you the number for the midwives offices so you can do it yourself. Unless you have any health issues or concerns, there's little point in actually seeing a GP at this stage.

Different areas have different policies, but it seems that booking in at around 8ish weeks is fairly standard.

First of all congratulations!

I think it depends on where abouts you are in the country, i know here in the north i had to go and see my gp first but people on here sometimes have just rung their gp and told the receptionist who has booked them in with the midwife or given them the midwife's number.

I think if i were you id just ring my gp and ask the receptionist if you need an appt, i think its funnier when they're so up themselves though, ill sometimes invent things to ask to make them even madder as they're are 2 in our doctors surgery unfortunately, congrats again though!

I did go and see the GP first but as ThunderboltKid said it did seem like a bit of a waste of time - basically he asked if I done a test (I'd done three!) and then told me to phone the midwife and make a booking in appointment.

Congratulations by the way :)

I had to go to the gp for a very pointless appointment for him to refer me. However to be fair as I was so nervous (it's taken me a long time to get pregnant) he booked me in for an early scan so I was glad I went afterwards
I would just ring doctors surgery and ask what is the procedure, as they all seem different

Look on your local hospital website at the antenatal department. Mine has a self referral form to fill out, the midwife will then contact you once you've sent it off. I went to the doctors with my DC2, as that's what I did with DS1 and it was a complete waste of time. I was about 5 weeks when I let them know. I had my first appointment at around 8 weeks but I got my appointment for that within a few days of informing them.

Thanks ladies,

I'll just ring the surgery then and hope I don't get the snooty cow (the others are lovely so can't complain too much). Whats really annoying is that my sister or a few of my friends would be able to tell me what the procedure here is immediately because they've had babies recently but of course I don't want to tell anyone I'm pregnant yet so can't ask them - grrr

P.S. - I agree with most of you, it seems pointless to see a gp first when I'm certain I'm pregnant and have no medical issues/worries.

With DD I went straight to a GP as I'd never been pregnant before and that was fine. With my next pregnancy I rang the surgery and explained that I was pg and wasn't sure if I needed to see my GP first and the receptionist explained that in my surgery they do prefer it if we see a GP first.
If in doubt, I'd ask!