1st appointment with midwife at 18 weeks... is that okay?

[purpleaura]

Hi all, I'm 11 weeks preggers and have just returned from some months abroad. I have been in touch with my local midwives whose (unhelpful and aggressive) receptionist gave me a booking appointment for 10th April. At that point I will be 18 weeks. I think I need to have a bit of a moan...

Of course I didn't expect to be seen immediately, but in 6 weeks?! I had a brief chat with a m/w on the phone and she said that they are faxing off the form to apply for my dating scan, so that app. should come through soon at least. Then she asked me on the phone which hospital I'd like to give birth at... I have no idea!

I'm sorry to be whinging, but it's just that April feels like such a long time away and its my first baby and I feel kind of alone and apprehensive and I have millions of questions. Will the blood tests and so on wait? What about discussing the results of the dating/NT scan? How What are my options for the birth? I would just feel so much happier to talk to a health professional before I get to 18 weeks.

The local midwife unit has no direct telephone line except for emergencies, only an answering machine. So I can't even call to speak to someone.

So I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that it will all wait, or even some advice as to what I can do, because I feel like I am getting a pretty minimal level of care here. What do you think...AIBU?

Did the person you spoke to know you are already 11 weeks? I booked my booking appointment with midwife today, and was told she likes to see you at 8-10 weeks.

I'd call back and check.

Congratulations!

Thanks Anything! Congrats to you too! Yes, she did know. We went through all the dates and everything, so I assume that its all okay. I just feel uncomfortable with it.

Am assuming you are in England if not ignore below.
Very poor care, did they check you were taking folic acid, vitamin d. To have the tests the midwife usually has to give you the blood forms to be done at the same time as the scan. They are missing your booking appointment which Nice says ideally by 10 I think weeks.
Congratulations.
Try leaving a message again if no joy appointment with GP, do they have any drop in clinics in the area?

Congratulations

Thanks Bugsy. They didn't ask if I was taking folic acid or anything like that. It just doesn't seem right does it? V. interesting to hear that it is against the NICE guidelines. Hmmm.

I think seeing my GP is a good idea. I would at least feel reassured then that they'd cover the important stuff.

That's terrible! I would def go to your gp, if not for anything else other than peace of mind!

The MWs will have nationally set targets to have completed all your screening blood tests by 12 weeks - give them a call and ask them about it.

Hi my community midwife couldn't see me for ages so I self referred to my preferred hospital where they did booking in, scan etc much sooner, they were great. Literally just call them, explain and they should give you an appointment. Good luck!

Thanks Locket- I am definitely going to see my GP, posting here has given me the confidence to say that this isn't quite right. I had a look at the NICE guidelines Bugsy, very useful and I can see that there's an awful lot I'm missing out on!

Good to know about the targets pip, thanks, but strange they're not going out of their way to meet them. Perhaps they're really stretched?

Fairly- again, great advice, thank you. I will try the GP first and see what they have to say. If that comes to nothing I'll phone up the hospital.

I think I wasn't expecting to have to fight for this sort of basic maternity care- it was a bit of a shock. Perhaps I'd built up a too-rosy picture of the good old NHS while I was abroad?!

Absolutely not ok to not be seen until 18 weeks. If you don't get a scan date this week I would recommend a private scan at the Fetal Medicine Centre in London where you can get the Nuchal test and bloods done AND CVS on the same day if you need it. You can't get this done past 13+4. Check their website!