accessing ante-natal care - a grumble

[queenrollo]

I had an early scan today to rule out ectopic and everything is fine . I'm roughly 5 weeks. I was told at the hospital to come home and make an appointment with my Community Midwife.
I phoned my surgery to arrange this to be told she's only there every other week, that she is fully booked for weeks, and that I can't get a Booking In appt until I am 11/12 weeks gone. I asked how I was supposed to arrange the twelve week dating scan in the meantime and was told I can't until I have my booking in appt.
The best the receptionist could do was to advise me to ring the midwives at the hospital.....

This is my second pregnancy so I'm not new to it all (thank goodness) but it's been 7 years since I had DS and I'm not really sure what to do.
Even if I do phone the hospital what should I say to them? I want a Home Birth and so I do need to see the Community Midwife team....

Can you leave a message on the next clinic day asking for a phone call after clinic? Thats what I did and she arranged to see me for booking at home the following sunday morning.

I think that's what I'm going to have to do. The GP receptionist was a bit disgruntled to be honest and said that normally the midwife does all her own admin - which will be fine once I'm on her books, but she can't admin someone she doesn't know about!!

This is exactly my situation! I am almost 10 weeks and the next available booking in appointment is not until I willl be just gone 12 weeks - I booked it in as I had no other option - unless I wanted a later appt. Am worried though as I believe some of the screening starts about then and am worried I wont get an appt for those when I want it!

It doesn't get any better

I could have written your post. Are you also in North Somerset? Dr has recommended a dating scan but can't get a booking in appt until I'd be approx 12 weeks (currently approx 7 wks). I politely mentioned that this was later than they advise (8-10wks) so the receptionist turfed the responsibility for booking the appt to me and gave me the no for the local hospital. Two working days later and they still haven't returned my call. My work wouldn't treat clients like this! So, you're not alone.

loveschocolate i'm in Lincolnshire, our resources are stretched. The maternity unit I'm covered by has to take in labouring women from a vast area. I think they are just ridiculously snowed under

can you get the number of the community midwife and give them a ring? They may be able to arrange an appointment for you themselves at another of the surgeries they work out of.

If your system is like mine then the GP receptionist is only able to make appointments at that particular surgery but the midwife team work out of a few different surgeries so might have an earlier opening at another one.

You have until 13+6 for screening if you want it done so don't panic if you're coming up to 12 weeks (though I know it's nice to get it in sooner if you can!). Either way, give them a bell and they should be able to put your mind at ease.

oh yes, congratulations !