midwife contact automatic?

[lexib]

I'm 5 weeks pregnant and it's our first baby, we went to the docs last week to confirm the pregnancy and care etc and he wasn't the most helpful. He's referring us to the hospital for the 12 week scan (great), but had no other info to give us on local support groups, services, or even what we could expect from the hospital. Since then have read a lot, and feel the midwife contact and discussions would cover that part, but - do I have to chase this or is it so automatic he didn't bother mentioning? Last part is that I do have bupa cover through work, wondering if I might get more going to them.
I'm not worried (yet!) but I need a bit of a wise woman's education

Congratulations!

Basically as you've found most of the medical profession is in the other end of the scale in ration to being excited about your of [gein]

Mostly mw won't see you till 8 weeks +, you could ca the surgery to confirm if she will contact you or if you need to register with her and how.

Thank you! Ok will give them a ring, 8 weeks still gives a bit of time. Normal & everyday for the doc is not yet my normal! So pleased to have found this place too - in the absence of yet telling people, Including recently pregnant friends, talking here is great

I think with some GPs it is automatic but in your position I would ring the surgery and ask if you need to arrange a booking in appointment or if the midwife will contact you. Once you are in the system with the midwife most other things should slot into place. The booking in appointment is usually between 8 and 10 weeks and the midwife will got through a pretty comprehensive medical history for both you and your partner. He or she will also have all the info on emergency contacts, local support groups etc. Congratulations on your pregnancy, wishing you a happy and healthy one

If you are covered by BUPA use that. My experience to date has been that nothing happens unless you constantly chase, the midwives do the bare minimum (mine hasn't given me any information on anything, and won't even do my blood tests as she is the 'wrong county' - I have to book these myself at the hospital). Sorry to sound negative, but frankly in my area negative is as good as it gets.

We don't get an appointment with the doctor here. The gp's receptionist gives a little pack on how to contact the midwife (based at the childrens centre) and a perscription for folic acid if you are not alredy taking it.
My experiences of community MW's are great. Though they always seem to run late!

Thanks for the advice, yeah I don't really want to be chasing the whole way through, planning to at least try to stay as relaxed as possible. Am preparing for the potential of a not Mary poppins like midwife, but still want to feel she cares!

I was surprised too. I think finding out you're pregnant for the first time is so momentous for you you expect lots to 'be done' and things to start rolling.

However, there really isn't much to do. There's basic advise like don't get drunk or do drugs, eat sensibly and take folic acid but I that's all really. 10weeks was the midwife booking in appointment (self refer here so don't even see a gp).

It feels like such a long time until that first scan at 12 weeks but after that it feels like you've seen baby and things are happening!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! The 9 months seem like so much waiting and then suddenly you have a baby you can't ever imagine being without :-)

I went to the dr, he told me to ask for a pregnancy pack at reception, that had all the info about booking an appt with midwife, booking scans etc, epu, all the bounty marketing stuff. The receptionist also completed a form for me so that I could get a maternity exemption for medical costs - free prescriptions, dentist etc. Maybe ask receptionist, they sometimes know more.
Congratulations by the way!

The midwife access depends on your GP and area. If you speak to the receptionist they will know, I had to phone a surestart centre and make an appointment.

Oh in my area you always see the same modwife, I did last time up until just after the birth when my midwife was on holiday but I knew this in advance. I have seen the same midwife througout this time. They run the antinatal clinic at the childrens centre and each mw has a certain day so as long as I book on fridays I know it will be my MW. Guess different areas manage things differently.

Just wanted to say that I would check whether BUPA covers your pregnancy. You would have to be on a very specific policy - I think its the 'international one.' I have full Bupa cover from my husband's work but it doesn't cover anything to do with pregnancy at all other than if I have an emergency caesarian it covers the fees for the actual operation. I know some BUPA cover also pays for a medically necessary elective C Section as well but nothing else. Don't mean to be negative at all, I'm just advising you to check with BUPA before assuming that is an option.

Thanks vickyu, actually just got off the phone with them and they said exactly the same. Is good at least to be finding out the edges of what I can expect