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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

First pregnancy and confused after booking appt

12 replies

Scroobius · 16/08/2012 20:36

Hi all,

I'm just looking for some general advice tbh i.e. is this normal/ok or should I be asking to see someone.
I went for my booking appt this week and the midwife didn't really ask me any questions or tell me much. She basically felt my stomach, did my blood pressure, booked my scan and had a failed attempt at taking bloods. She barely filled anything in on my notes and has left me to do most of it myself which I'm afraid means I might have filled in bits wrong etc. There are bits on the notes with space for the midwife to fill stuff in at the booking appt but she didn't and I'm not sure what the point of me putting lots of family history on the notes is as I don't even know if/when I should have a next appt with a midwife to look at them anyway.
Is it normal to leave the booking appt only knowing that next week I've got to go for a scan or should I know more about what the rest of the 'plan' for the pregnancy regarding appts etc will be?
Sorry for the ranting post but noone else wants to listen to me!!

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AliceHurled · 16/08/2012 20:40

My MW appointments have been a disappointment right the way through. I had 2 that were 'booking in' I think. Just filled in lots of forms. I don't even get much of a 'how are you' or 'any questions'. It's pretty much test wee, check bp, have a feel and that's it. I get the feeling they are just too busy to do more. One reason why I have a doula to chat to.

AliceHurled · 16/08/2012 20:41

I always know when my next appt is though. In your notes, do you have a timetable thing, for what week you see her, what happens etc. I found that about 20 weeks in and that made it a bit clearer.

Original poster

Scroobius · 16/08/2012 20:49

Yeah, I spoke to my mum and she said the midwife probably wouldn't be that interested at this early stage (she didnt even take a urine sample) but it's more the not knowing what happens next with them that bothers me. I know I go for the scan next week but I think that's just the ultrasound bit so I assume they won't book my next midwife appt...
Glad to know it's not just me that seems to have a completely disinterested midwife though; she didn't introduce herself and I've got no idea if she is 'my' midwife or any of that stuff.
Thanks for the reply

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NellyBluth · 16/08/2012 20:56

I had absolutely no idea what was going on with my mw appointments. Is there a timetable in your notes? If they don't mention making your next appointment as you leave, ask them about it.

But basically I just went every few weeks, peed in a cup, had my blood pressure taken, and got told to come back a few weeks later. Not all mw's see to go a bundle on talking through birthing options! It doesn't hurt to do a bit of research yourself, there is plenty out there on the internet, or ask on here about people's birthing choices or if anyone has given birth in your local hospital. Look in to NCT classes in your area if you can afford them, I found they answered most of my questions and, for me, 34w (or whatever I was then) was a much better time to think about the proper ins and outs of birth and what I might want.

Original poster

Scroobius · 16/08/2012 21:14

Hi,

I have been doing a lot of research on the net, particularly lurking on here for a while, but it sort of seems like everywhere in the country different things happen/you get different choices. I really just wanted to talk to someone (the midwife) who knows iyswim but then again it's not so much the actual birth stuff that I'm bothered about just yet as it's a fair way away yet. Really I just want to know what the next steps are; if you didn't get told in advance about your next appts how did you know to go in? If it's a case of someone will contact me next time they need to see me than that would put my mind at rest a bit. Sorry I know I'm probably worrying over nothing but as I've not done this before, and I'm the first of my friends, I just don't know what should happen.

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NellyBluth · 16/08/2012 21:22

Never apologise for asking! It is all very confusing at the beginning

Have a look at your notes to see if it has a timetable. But if not, call your GPs and ask them when your next appt should be. My mw did tell me as I left the appt to make another one, and I'm not sure they would have called if I hadn't gone. I can't remember at what weeks I had my appts in the early stages, but I'm sure someone will come along and know.

FatimaLovesBread · 16/08/2012 21:26

In my notes there's a timetable where they've ticked which weeks they need to see me and where and I just ring the doctors to make the appointments to fit with those weeks. The timetable on mine is on the front page

FuckityFuckFuck · 16/08/2012 21:26

My first appt souds very much like yours. The midwife contacted me after my scan and made my next appt, I think they like to know what stage you are at before they start making plans, because they need to know where to start from iyswim? It would be pointless talking to you about the first 8 weeks, then you go for a scan and find out you are 12 weeks, that kinda thing

Original poster

Scroobius · 16/08/2012 21:30

Thanks, that does make sense. I've been through my notes and I have found the timetable thing but there's nothing filled in on it. I guess I'll wait until a week or so after my scan and if I haven't heard anything i'll give the doctors a ring. At least I know now that I'm not going to be wasting anybody's time by ringing up to ask by then.
Thanks for all your help

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AliceHurled · 16/08/2012 21:33

I don't have my notes to hand to look for you, far too lazy and immobile to go and get them out of the car but iirc the gap to start with is pretty big. Maybe 6 weeks between appointments? It ramps up later on. I've found the best people to know what goes on in my area are anyone who is involved in the 'birth scene', so doulas, pregnancy counsellors, things like birth choices groups, parenting groups, nct groups. It shouldn't be that way but it all seems pretty word of mouth to me.

FatimaLovesBread · 16/08/2012 21:53

If it helps, I'm on my first pregnancy too and my first MW appointment after booking in and scan was at 16weeks. So if you don't here anything, maybe book one for aroun then?

Hevaniceday · 17/08/2012 09:27

I've had the booking in appointment with my midwife this week as well, as a complete opposite we were there about an hour and a half going through piles and piles of paperwork, bloods, urine sample, height, weight, bump, listened for heartbeat, pretty much everything and my shoe size LOL

I will get an appt through in the post for my scan and my next appointment, she said as I left that I will also get another appointment through in the post and it should be in around 5-6 weeks.

By us, I should be seeing the MW at my GP but the days the appointments are on is no good in relation to my work schedule (i work quite a distance from home and don't drive) so we are making alternative arrangements with the MW directly.

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