GP/MW appointment, advice please?

[ruth1104]

Hello,
I am new! Was briefly on the conception pages but in a bit of a whirlwind have found myself here and, according to Clearblue, 1-2 weeks pregnant but I gather the doctors work it out on your last period, which makes me 4 weeks. My question is, I am about to move from one end of the country to the other in 3 weeks. I've made a GP appointment for next week but will they be able to do anything? Will they want to see me? If I wait until I'm at my new doctors and everything is open again after christmas and new year, I'll be 9 weeks. Is that too late to have my first MW appointment?
What happens at your first appointment? Cheers mdears

Ooh also, if I see the GP next week, how likely is it I'd be able to get the winter flu jab quickly? Do you have to wait for it?

I would call your GP surgery and ask for a booking appointment with a midwife. When you speak to them they will book you an appointment, usually somewhere between 8-10 weeks. You don't need to see your GP at all.

If you're unsure of any guidelines on folic acid or vitamins etc the Nhs parents website has all the details.

Congratulations

if yo're moving then wait until you're at your new GP's. 9 weeks is fine for a first appointment. Think I did mine at 8-9 weeks each time, that's enough for them to arrange booking appt and first scan.

congrats :)

In my area you need to see a GP (well, nurse in my case) and they will arrange your booking in appointment with a midwife. But at the GP appointment nothing happened, they give you a load of information and tell you to wait for a letter from the midwife. Here the GP referral will also trigger an appointment for the dating scan (taking place around 11-12 weeks).

My booking in appointment with the midwife was at 10 weeks. The first one takes longer (maybe an hour) as they will take your medical history, discuss your concerns etc. Nothing invasive, though.

So in your shoes I would check what the procedure is in your new area and see whether you can get the ball rolling before Christmas.

I personally don't think that there is much point having an appointment with your current GP or nurse. Information travels incredibly badly between areas (you will probably just end up doing the whole booking in again if you do it before you move) and there is actually no need to see someone any earlier than you would in your new area. The only reason to see someone now would be if they can arrange the flu jab and you want it - I would give them a call and find out about that.

The thing I would do is research GPs in you new area and find out how you need to go about registering so you can do it ASAP when you move. Also find out whether you have to go through the GP or whether your new area allows you to self refer to the midwives (often a lot better if you can unless you have any complications or existing medical conditions you want to discuss with the GP).

With DD2 and this pregnancy, the first time I saw anyone at all was 10 weeks. With DD1 I went to GP at about 7 weeks and it was totally pointless.

Good advice from all above.... Ring your new GP practice and find out the local system for booking in and follow that. No need to see your current GP unless you need medication reviewed.

Your current practice nurse should be able to do your flu jab, just explain to your receptionist your pregnant and want to book for the jab. Or just pay for it at a pharmacy of that's easier.