When to visit GP?

[amatuermummy]

I got a bfp today on a clearblue digital, it said 3+. This is my second pregnancy and with my first, we immediately went to the GP because we thought we had to. This time I'm not sure when I need to go and see the GP or whether I should just book an appointment with a midwife. What's the latest you should really go and see the GP or midwife? I want to make sure I'm on the 'system' to get scans and things but I don't want to rush there unnecessarily.
Thanks

I would go at 6 weeks to GP, just to get into the system. Even at that point, I have found with 3 pregnancies that the GP couldn't be less interested!! Also good to get to a milestone as each week so agonisingly slow, isn't it?

Phone your surgery and check their protocol. For ours you just ring and collect a pregnancy pack with all the midwife details in it and contact her directly. There is no real reason to see a doctor at all unless you have an underlying medical condition that will be affected by pregnancy.

Forgot to say here they recommend you are seen by the MW by 8 weeks to get all you are entitled to.

Thanks for the replies, I think I'm about 5 weeks so I probably should call after the bank holiday weekend and ask what the process is at my surgery. I had pre-eclampsia at the end of my last pregnancy, will they need to do anything extra this time?

In my area you just self-refer to the midwives at the hospital. Have you checked the website of your hospital/GP to see what the procedure is?

I'm 6 weeks and have my first GP appointment next Thursday (exactly 7wks!) This is my first and as I didn't know the process I called them a soon as I knew.

Last time I went to the gp at what I thought was 6 weeks. He was very disinterested and asked several times if we wanted to keep it . Then saw mw at what I thought was about 9 weeks iirc. It was a good job I went early ish as I only just got a place at my local hospital. Another day for the referral and I would've had to travel across the city (could be around an hour in traffic). Although it turned out I was due 4 weeks earlier, but they couldn't kick me out by the time we found out the dates!

I got a bfp yesterday and think I'm 5+4 but I'll be calling on tuesday to get booked in as I don't want to miss out on getting into my local hospital.

Good luck!

There isn't really much need to see the GP, you just need to check the process and make a booking appt with the midwife. As per blueberry we get women to collect a booking pack.

I think years ago (not sure now) the GP used to get paid a little amount for seeing a pregnant woman, so that's why it was more common to go along.

If you had pre eclampsia last time it may be that you'll be under consultant care this time.

Sometime between 6 and 8 weeks.

I'm 8 weeks and haven't been yet - I have had three miscarriages since I had dc2, and it has happened every time I went and registered my pregnancy with the gp - and then I have had to phone up and cancel my midwife appointments. I have become so superstitious about it I can't bring myself to make the appointment, though I know I am going to have to within the next week. Where I live the mw won't see you until you are 10 weeks so I knew by going before now I would just more worrying time!

IU was wondering the same thing. Got bfp yesterday (second child) but am feeling very superstitious. Our GP has big poster up though saying tell the doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant. I am going to go next week for something else and mention it in the same appt.

yellow come and join the dec 2012 thread here.

I don't see any harm in going to the gp as soon as you know. It's best to get in the system IMO.

The process is very different all over the country. 4 years ago I made a GP appointment that turned out to be mostly unnecessary then saw the MW at about 8 weeks. This time, when I went to book direct with the midwife, through my GP's receptionist, she said the rules had changed again and my first appointment had to be after 10 weeks.

Where I live we don't have to see the GP. We ring up surgery and they book a mw appointment. MW does the booking in and sends forms to local hospital to arrange scans. I think I saw MW at 7/8 weeks last time.

Thanks so much for all the replies, I have booked an appointment with the GP for around two weeks time. Is this too long to wait or is 7 weeks ok? I'm not too worried about the actual pregnancy, more worried about getting in 'the system' so that I can get my appointments for midwives and scans sorted. Also, does anyone know if you can take Zantac in early pregnancy? I took it with my last pregnancy, but didn't get heartburn until the last trimester. Is it normal to get it so early with the second? Sorry for all the questions - nobody in real life knows yet so you're the only ones I can ask. Thanks

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Just wanted to say that it is national NHS policy that you don't have to see a GP when you are pregnant and can self-refer to the midwife. They can't actually make you go to the GP first. Handy to know, because it's one less appt to schedule!

I don't think Zantac is recomended. I used to be on it and was told to stop the last time I was pregnant as the result didn't out way the risk and I only took it for discomfert rather than a serious complaint. If you have a serious stomach complaint then as far as i know they do still give it to pregnant women becuase the result then out ways the risk IYSWIM

ASDA own brand heartburn relief sweets

Will do in due course Itsmylastone but a bit superstitious at the moment.