When does NHS antenatal care beginning?

[FlorIxora]

Hi,

I found out I was pregnant last Wednesday evening (last period was 16/03), I called my GP's surgery (it's quite large never seen the same GP more than twice) on Thursday because I had seen those ASAP leaflets. The receptionist asked me if I wanted to keep it (o.O) and then casually told me to self-refer.

So I went on my chosen hospital's website and self-referred online. I have not received an automated confirmation or anything.

I'm not from the UK, and even after a decade some things just surprise/bewilder me. So I wanted to know: is my recent experience normal? When does one see a Dr or midwife or nurse for the first time normally?

I, maybe mistakenly, believed that newly pregnant women got a GP appointment to confirm pregnancy by blood test.

Side note: very happy about pregnancy, planned, 1st pregnancy.

I was similar. Phoned the doctor the day I found out and they gave me a number to call to self refer. So I got my appointments straight away but I didn't see midwife for booking app until 10 weeks and scan date for 12 weeks. I'd maybe wait a few weeks and follow it up with a phonecall.

Also, congratulations!

Midwives usually see you after about 8 weeks. They don't routinely confirm pregnancy by blood tests on the nhs.

Congratulations

Congratulations on your pregnancy. They don't normally confirm the pregnancy as the urine tests are the same as you do at home, and bloods aren't routine.

Seems to vary a lot by area but I didn't see GP at all and saw midwife at about 8 weeks. In the meantime check out the NHS website for advice about vitamins (folic acid and vitamin d) and foods to avoid etc :)

Hi, it may depend where in the uk you are but when I found out that I was pregnant I rang and asked for an appointment with the surgery midwife. She is only there one day a week so had to wait 3 weeks but I was seen at about 9 weeks. She took bloods and booked my 12 week scan.
It may be worth calling your surgery again to ask whether they have a midwife. If not, a google search might help you find out about care in your area. Or ask the receptionist.
Also, the GP is not necessary to confirm. I was told a home pregnancy test is as reliable as a GP test.
Congratulations

Aw congrats op!!

I know what you mean. It all seems airy fairy at first (well I still think that despite being 32 weeks with my first!)

The following link tells you what's meant to happen when etc

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-and-baby-care.aspx#close

I never got a blood test. GP offered to repeat test (poas) but I declined. Just gave me self-referral details.

My first appoint (booking in) was at 8 weeks. I'd just keep an eye on your mail and if you don't here anything phone them.

Lots of luck!!

Thank you! And Thank you for your answer. I just thought the casual answer was quite a departure from their leaflets. (Why the NHS loves leaflets so, is another of the great wonders to me. - but very grateful for the free care)

How far along are you Littlemiss?

I phoned day I found out at 4 weeks and they said to book a GP appt for a couple of days time which I did. I then saw midwife at about 7 weeks and they did bloods etc

X

In my first pregnancy I saw my GP around a week after I found out (so was around 7 weeks). She took my blood pressure, dipped urine and referred me to hospital. My next three I self referred. Preg 2 I was booked at 10 weeks but miscarried. Preg 3 I requested and got an early scan around 7 weeks but only saw a midwife at 12 weeks. Ditto preg 4.

The sad fact is there is virtually nothing a healthcare professional can do to change the outcome once you know you are pregnant but are before 12 weeks (actually before 24 weeks there's not much they can offer). Being a healthy weight, eating well and not smoking need to start before conception, though if you didn't already know they were important, doing something about it as soon as you realise once pregnant is better late than never. Similar really with not drinking and taking folic acid.

Aw thanks everyone. I am really thankful for all the answers.

As I said on the conception forum, it is so weird having this massive news and not being able to tell a soul. I think I would feel weird telling before I've had an appointment. Almost a week on, I am still wondering if I am making all this up, and I have violent bump-envy, all these women on the street sporting their beautiful big bumps, I am jealous of. Completely irrational stuff.

I also go from worrying insanely about my quasi-constant "period" pain, to worrying when it eases off. This afternoon, I was so nauseous I had to leave work, but then I also had lunch at a new-to-me deli.

Thankfully, OH is very happy too and a lot less irrational than I am right now. But it really helps getting some support and encouragement here.

I'm on top of the not smoking, not drinking and folic acid stuff. :) Just need to get my lazy tush off the sofa and walk a lot more.

Firstly, congratulations! I seem to be on identical schedule, same date of last period and same day for a positive test!

I called my GP surgery and asked what I needed to do. The receptionist said I was more than welcome to see a GP if I wanted to but that the surgery has a midwife 2 days a week and they usually see you around 8 weeks. I've booked in for next Friday which is only around 7 but we're away the following week so they were fine arranging it a little early. They told me to bring a urine sample and expect to stay an hour.

Hope you here from the service soon

Congratulations! I am about three days behind you OP. I saw my GP last Friday - she gave me the "take folic acid, don't smoke or drink & do you know what to/what not to eat?" chat. Then she gave me my booking in appointment to see the midwife at 7 weeks. I also have to see an endocrinologist throughout so I contacted him & an appointment is being sent out for that too.

So now I'm just waiting out the next two weeks. Desperate to tell people but I'm waiting til after booking appt to tell close family then after 12 week scan for everybody else

I'm the same! I really want to tell, I saw a close relative this week end and was dying to say something. But it seems so early and then they'd be in a similar state of having to wait ages to tell anyone. I think we'll tell really close relative and friends at 8 weeks and the rest after 12 weeks. Now, to try and not look so distracted at work...

Btw very nice to hear of other ladies with the same dates. It feels lonely sometimes this state of in-betweenness. Even my OH said last night it felt a bit lonely not being able to share.

I feel the need to prove to myself that I am indeed pregnant and so far managed to resist doing an additional POAS. If the sore boobs, the period-like pain and the mild nausea are anything to go by, I am still pregnant.

Florlxora I'm so conflicted... I'm enjoying having a secret only DH & I know about but on the other hand a family dinner was torture last night!

Only people we've told are the GP, endo, yoga teacher because I had to ask her about my hot yoga class & one of my oncall managers at work as there was a risk of infection issue.

I really need to tell my line manager soon but she's proven herself to be less than discreet recently so now I'm putting it off. Can't wait til it's all out in the open!

Why do you need to tell your line manager?Is your job not compatible with pregnancy? (lab work, heavy lifting...)

Today is really difficult. I am so tired and feel super bloated (junk food consumption not helping). I have had cramps every day almost all day since 16.04. I look and feel like I went on a bender last night.

I feel your pain Florlxora, I'm so bloated but feel like I'm hardly eating anything. My cramps have settled today but everything is making me feel queasy.

I work in healthcare for a crisis intervention team so can be very ill people - heavy moving & handling & nasty bugs and I work mainly on my own...

I bought something for bub tonight - I had a miscarriage on this exact day into my pregnancy last time so I wanted to do something looking to the future. Felt really good!

Sorry to hear about the miscarriage. I think that's a lovely idea. I haven't bought a single thing yet, but I did book an early scan for 05/05 today. I really need hard proof that I pregnant. I'm 5+3 today.

Well done on not eating much, I'm not hungry as such but I can't stop. My jeans are feeling tight already. I can't imagine how huge I will be by 12wks at this rate.

I only bought a fleecey swaddle bag but it feels like something positive - like we're not considering something going wrong.

Oooh! Let me know how you get on with your early scan? That sounds exciting.

If your body is telling you you need to eat then you should eat... don't beat yourself up about it. I just can't face it - DH cooked some chicken bites this morning (after nightshift) & the smell almost made me hurl!

I'll drop you a line once it's all done. I am so impatient...

I hope the sickness subsides soon.

Ifyouwereariver sorry for the ridiculously delayed post. I've been looking for that thread for ages but moving and mobile phone browsing got in the way.

Had the early scan on 05/05 - We saw the heartbeat. I have my booking in appt at the hospital tomorrow. So far all is well. :)

Glad all is well!
It seems like your appts are far away but it flies by! I can't believe I start mat leave next week and only seven weeks to go!

That's fab Florlxora it's amazing isn't it? I saw midwife for my booking appt at 7 weeks & she asked if we wanted a reassurance scan - so we managed to get booked in for the next day. Was so lovely to hear the heartbeat & know everything's okay.

Hope your booking appt goes well today. I'm just waiting to see the endo in two weeks then my 13 week scan in three weeks. Time is flying in.