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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Is this normal? - Booking in policy

20 replies

MB34 · 13/04/2012 20:59

Hi! :)
I called my local birthing unit a month ago (at about 5 weeks) and have only received my scan date and leaflets on blood tests.

I haven't heard anything since so called again this week but was told the midwife will only see me a week before or maybe a week after my scan!

Is this right?? I know I've not got long to wait now but surely I should be seeing someone before this to ask questions etc (I didn't even go to see my doctor for confirmation - the nurse told me over the phone!)

When did everyone else first see a midwife?

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MrsPaynie · 13/04/2012 22:59

I think it's common place for 'booking' appointments to take place with the midwife around 10 weeks, has been with all of my pregnancies (on my 5th now) and I've lived somewhere different for each one x

StarshitTerrorise · 13/04/2012 23:04

I booked in after my scan too.

It's awful but with budgets the way they are they tend to ignore you until you are in the more 'safe' window post 12 weeks.

A bit ridiculous because that would be too late for a lot of the sensible health advice I.e frolic acid, drinking & smoking plus how to deal with sickness etc.

Original poster

MB34 · 13/04/2012 23:52

Thanks - some people who I've spoken to saw a midwife at around 8 weeks, although they were all pregnant a good few years ago.

I agree with you Star, you'd think the first 12 weeks is when you need most support, especially if it's your first pregnancy, like me, and don't know what to expect.

OP posts:

McPopcornMouseNFries · 14/04/2012 08:03

I saw mine at 9 weeks, but plenty of people have their 'booking in' appointment later. I wouldn't worry :)

xkcdfangirl · 14/04/2012 08:16

They normally only see someone pre-12-weeks if they have had a history of multiple miscarriages. Appointments will get more frequent the further along you get.

MrsHoarder · 14/04/2012 08:30

I didn't see the midwife until 9 weeks. Was given a few leaflets on foods to avoid, exercise etc by GP at 5 weeks (didn't tell the receptionist why I wanted the appointment), but really unless you need to see the consultant early on (due to history) then the midwife doesn't do anything at this stage.

The first appointment is all medical history, bloods, weight and discussion about other support available and some dietry advice. It may feel as though you need support with morning sickness, but the midwife can't do anything for that, if its bad enough to need medical intervention you want anti-sickness drugs from your GP or admission to hospital for rehydration.

welliesandpyjamas · 14/04/2012 08:31

Things have changed. With my first, who is now 8 almost 9, the midwife visited me at home quite early on and then met me again at clinic at 12 ish weeks.

I'm currently 15 weeks and just had the booking in appt in hospital with the general on duty midwife. I won't meet my own midwife until I'm 17 weeks, even though I've had my first scan already.

Maybe it's different with first time mums still though, don't know.

issimma · 14/04/2012 08:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sparklekitty · 14/04/2012 10:08

I saw mine at 5 weeks for a group talk about being healthy, then again at wish to be booked, scan at 12 weeks then normal appointment at 16 weeks. I see her every 2/3 weeks from 25 weeks till birth. I'm not high risk but it is my first so that might be why.

HappyCamel · 14/04/2012 10:20

This is normal because:

some pregnancies will miscarry. It's a waste of resources and sometimes distressing for the mum to attend and/or cancel appts
there really is nothing they can do. The pregnancy will progress or fail, there would be no intervention until after 12 weeks unless you have a known condition
if you were I'll you'd see a GP and get referred on, if everything is normal you are better getting on with things
NHS website can tell you everything you need to know about diet restrictions etc

wickedfairy · 14/04/2012 18:06

I am 10 weeks, have my booking in this week coming. Similar for my previous pregnancies. As someone said further upthread, it would be a possible waste of resource to do everyone early, as (unfortunately) some will miscarry.....

Good luck anyway, exciting times!

Cutelittlecatlover · 14/04/2012 18:29

I saw my mw at 6 weeks for a "pre booking chat" both times then booked in at 10 weeks.

susiegrapevine · 14/04/2012 19:20

I saw mine before my scan cos in my area you have to take your notes with you and you don't get these until you are booked in. I saw mine at 11 weeks but this was later than the norm cos of a mix up. Normally see you between 8 and 10 weeks in my area.

Chunkychicken · 15/04/2012 12:31

Recently had my booking in with my MW at 8+3 with DC2, which was the same as with DD.

Was warned by my GP that I might not get this early appt because the resources are quite stretched, but got a call to book it a couple of weeks ago. Won't have my scan until 13+wks now though.

It was mainly going through paperwork & discussing some things, but most info you can get from NHS Direct.

Think it totally depends on the area & how many women need support.

ffscatmove · 15/04/2012 13:26

Round here you are booked in with MW at 11-13 weeks but need to see GP first to get referred for scan. Had to make sure receptionist knew it was first appointment as is longer than others to complete paperwork etc.
Our scan unit is VERY busy so was better to get in early with GP to be sure of getting appointment for right time!

Rosebud05 · 15/04/2012 13:29

It seems to be common practice here to book in the same time as first scan, so 12-14 weeks. Has been the same since 2005 when I had my first baby.

faintpinkline · 15/04/2012 16:34

starshitterrorise I want some frolic acid sounds much more fun than the standard stuff :)

StarshitTerrorise · 15/04/2012 18:32

thefurryone · 15/04/2012 19:41

Here we access maternity services via GP referral, so they give you the folic acid, what not to eat chat, pre-booking appointment. The booking appointment, takes about an hour so I guess it makes sense to wait until you're further along.

However, if you have any reason to be concerned you can go to your GP in the meantime.

forpitysake · 15/04/2012 20:39

I asked GP receptionist if I could book in to see a MW.

She said they don't visit my GP's surgery to hold clinics. They did at the last one I went to (1.5miles away).

They have to give a tel.no. instead for you to ring, which said if you had just found out you were preggers you had to book yourself in online to register your details and someone would ring back in a few days.
The MW rang after about 5days (this was 4 weeks ago) and couldn't book my booking-in appointment until this week.
She asked the last time I had a period. I told her and I said I felt it probably wasn't a 'proper' one and I'd felt different ever since (not 1st pregnancy). The test also said at least 3 weeks pregnant.
She couldn't put anything else down I guess so now it means that unless I pay privately for it, my 12 week scan will be when I'm at 16weeks.
The waiting list was so long 1st time round my 12week scan would have been when I was 17weeks.
Hope you have better access than we do down here

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