how often should i be seen at 37 weeks

[oranges]

ok, deep breath as I am trying really hard to keep calm over this. Sorry its a bit convoluted.

For various reasons (living abroad) I booked into the NHS system at 34 weeks pregnant. Was told on the phone that this was the only way to do it and would all be fine. So, I had a booking in appointment at the hospital at 35 weeks, with lovely midwife who did bloods, tests etc and said all was well, but that I should be seen weekly from then on. Since then, its been ridiculous - I keep getting letters and phone calls from a centralised booking system, offering me appointments two weeks after my due dates, and letters offering me check ups, that arrive days after the appointments are scheduled. Each time I manage to get hold of a midwife, she is very sympathetic, but says she can't do anything outside this system.

I haven't had a check up for a fortnight, and although I've had a good pregnancy so far, I am really worried that something will go wrong at the last moment because I'm not being looked at. I have a family friend who is a obstetrician who has offered to check me, but I'd rather not ask unless I have to. Any ideas how long I can leave it without a check up? And what danger things should I look out for?

At the very least they've told me I can go into hospital if I'm in labour! Which is kind of them!

Generally at 37 weeks, its every week until the baby is born. I suppose how this is organised differs from area to area. When is your next appointment?

Been told to go to a walk in clinic on Monday with an obstetrician, but warned that I may not get seen if queue is too long.

I remember seeing them every week too.
If you feel anxious or worried just go straight up to the maternity unit to checked out
xxx

Er, dont go until you have been seen and have a definate date for another appointment. As DSW says, take yourself straight to your maternity unit if you are at all ever concerned.

The health of you and your baby are paramount
I get the impression you may feel that you are a burden in some way
Well you are not
Go and get checked out if you are at all worried
and sod the walk in centre on monday
go in on the weekend if you can if you feel worried
sorry if I have wrong impression
xxx

Thank you both - i am getting really upset about this as I'm trying to keep calm. I NEVER normally make a fuss about medical things, and never go to the GP under normal conditions. I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself as my husband's job took us abroad, then brought us back, and they won't pay for private health care in the uk, and I feel like I'm on the receiving end of all these corporate decisions. I hate it when peopleimply I'm being panicky before giving me a chance to explain the situation. they keep assuming if I've just booked in, I'm just 7 weeks pregnant, and hang up before I can explain...

My midwives only wanted to see people every 2 weeks post 34 weeks despite my notes clearly stating every week

Go see your GP - they should be able to bypass the system if required

oranges try not to worry yourself sweetie
I dont think you a panicky at all
you have a right to be concerned about the health of you and your baby
am i am sure everything will be fine
btw is this your first baby

Your poor thing, Oranges. I had a difficult time changing hospitals when we moved house (within the UK) when pregnant, and I found it terribly upsetting.

A midwife at our hospital told me that I could have just turned up at the hospital and someone would have checked me over. I imagine that could involve quite a wait though.

Is there a community midwife attached to your GP's surgery, who could do your checks for you. Or, as someone else has said, just see your GP as they should have the things they need to check your BP, urine and listen to the baby.

If your obstetrician friend has offered to help I'd take her up on it. It will take her 5 minutes and you could bring her some flowers or something so you feel less of an imposition. Chances are you'll only have to ask her once and I'm sure it will put your mind at rest. My (thoroughly inexpert) understanding is that in the unlikely event that something isn't going well at this stage, they can deal with it so long as they catch it - for examply if your bp is going up.

Perhaps start any telephone conversation with the hospital people with "I'm 37 weeks pregnant and have only just been booked in..."

Were your bloods ok?

Thank you for all your kind words - its just what I needed. Yes, its my first baby, though I did have a miscarriage last year, which is why I am so wary of things going wrong. The gp didn't help by repeatedly asking me if it was a miscarriage or abortion. My bloods were all fine, and my bloodpressure so far has stayed constant, which is all reassuring. I've tried gp, community midwife etc - they all keep sending me round in circles. But yes, I think I will go into the hospital's ante natal ward for a check up next week, then ask my friend to go over my notes and check blood pressure and baby's heartbeat. Thank you again - the sympathy helped cheer me up!

Oranges - have you come back to Cardiff to give birth? If so, then your normal midwife care will be done at the GPs surgery by your community midwife, rather than at the hospital. I'd call the GP on Monday and arrange to see the community midwife as a matter of urgency. Or let me know and I can give you the phone number of the community midwife office at the Heath if thats where you're booked in. People do go astray in the system it's a matter of getting hold of the right people to get on the right list. When are you due? I'm having mine by section at the Heath on Friday 21st April - we might coincide.

I would comlain to your GP taking all the letters you've received with you

on the last month of your due date it was every week.. they had to keep an eye on my BP... but if any worries go to your hosp where you are having your baby to get it checked out

I think I was seen every two weeks after 34 weeks so it does vary with area. But agree you should go to hospital day assessment centre (or whatever it is called locally), get them to check you out and then make another appointment there and then so they can't fob you off on the 'phone.

I was seen once a week after 36 weeks

Thanks all - I went to the walk in clinic with the consultant obstetrician today and was seen straight away (mainly because I turned up 20 mins before they opened!). He was very sympathetic to the hassle I've had, booked me in for an ultrasound, then tried to phone the midwives himself. After ten mins of being diverted to all community practices, he gave up and told me to just come back and see him next Monday. I really was not expecting the consultant to be more amenable and available than the midwives!
Hockeymum, I decided to give birth in London in the end, but thank you for all your advice, and hope all goes brilliantly for you. I'm due on the 19th, so keep me posted on how you do!

oranges great news
xxx

Ah, result!

Oh I'm so glad you got it all sorted out in the end! The last thing you need at this point is more stress. I hope you have a really positive experience!