Midwife appointments

11 replies

firsttimekat · 16/01/2014 15:06

How far in advance can you book your midwife appointments? All my hospital appointments are booked up till the end, but can't even book my next mw appointment yet. Apparently I can only book 2 weeks before, does that sounds normal to other people? It's just frustrating for planning and work aren't going to be impressed.

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MaebyF · 16/01/2014 15:08

I think mine were only bookable within 2-3 weeks of the appointment. Annoying, but they were going to annoying anyway as they only did appts in the middle of the day. Remember that work have to give you time off for these appointments and they're not allowed to complain.

Original poster

firsttimekat · 16/01/2014 15:23

Thanks. I know they have to give me the time off, but no one picks up my work when I'm not there so I like to be able to plan...

Did you have any problems booking appointments? All booked up? Mine is at the GP surgery and it can be nearly impossible to get through to them :(

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twinklexx · 16/01/2014 15:25

For me it's because they only decide when they're going to see you next at each appointment. i.e. I don't go religiously every 2 weeks, in the middle, they were at 3/4 weeks. It's booked by the midwife at each appointment so I don't have to phone up - is that what is happening for you?

polarpercy · 16/01/2014 15:26

I tried to book a sweep as midwife had suggested for 40 weeks, this was following my 38 week appointment. We could only book after an appointment if that makes sense? Only to be told they had no appointments until I would have been 42 +5 I think! My GP had said she didn't want me getting to 42 due to my blood pressure problems, luckily dd decided that I would go into active labour on her due date and she was born at 40+1 (only just!). It is a pain and shows a worrying shortage in some parts of the country that just doesn't seem to be being addressed.

muppetthecow · 16/01/2014 15:27

Mine were all at the doctor's surgery, but the midwives had a separate appt diary. I was always booked in for my next appointment at the end of a session. Do you have to go through reception at the GP or can you ask the midwife directly?

Indith · 16/01/2014 15:30

Different surgeries will vary on their appointments system. However, in general you will follow a standard care path which will be appointments at

16 weeks
25 weeks
28 weeks
31 weeks
34 weeks
36 weeks
38 weeks
40 weeks

This may vary, you might have concerns and want to see a MW sooner, you may develop problems etc. But that is the standard pathway so that at least can give you something to plan around.

Most places though the MW tends to book you in for your next appointment when she sees you.

Original poster

firsttimekat · 16/01/2014 15:40

I'm following the standard pathway, and mw can't book any appointments have to ring and speak to GP reception each time, who for the first appointment had to be convinced they had a separate mw system... I'm not hopeful that this is going to go to plan.

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EeyoreIsh · 16/01/2014 15:43

I've had the opposite experience, I've had community midwives trying to get me to book several appointments in advance.

Sneezy86 · 16/01/2014 15:51

My midwife use to book my next appointment at the end of the one I was at.

greentshirt · 16/01/2014 19:32

Mine are exactly as Indith says. Im 28 weeks and just booked my 31 week appt (a home visit) direct with the midwife and she said when I was leaving to book the 34 week one as I would normally have done on the way out so it was all sorted in advance.

Writerwannabe83 · 16/01/2014 19:37

When I see my midwife she always gives me my next appointment before I leave.

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