First MW appt not until 15 wks and first scan not until 17 wks?!

[camembertlovernomore]

I finally got my letter through to confirm my appointment with a midwife and they have given me a date of 30 September by which time I will be 15 weeks pregnant - I thought they were meant to see me around 12 weeks along with a scan around then. I spoke to the receptionist who told me this was the earliest I could be seen and that my scan will be a couple of weeks later - surely this cant be right?! When I asked if I could be seen sooner she said I could always go private! I will probably be around 17 weeks when I get my first scan - what happens if something is wrong and nothing is found until that late. Does anyone know if there's a way to bump up the list to be seen sooner? I know the NHS is stretched but this seems a bit unfair to assume I can afford private care because their system is crap. I am a first time mum and anxious to know everything is ok. This is at Chelsea and Westminster btw.

Also in terms of Downs Syndrome testing - what week do they do this? Sorry for all the q's just really annoyed that I have to wait so long to speak to a MW and my GP keeps saying they can't do anything. Any suggestions would really be appreciated TIA :)

That scan would be way too late for Downs testing. That sounds bizarre. I don't know who you would complain to though.

Can you afford to have a private scan?

That seems very strange, I would ring PALS and complain and see if they can raise the issue for you.

That's not within the nhs guidelines I don't think have you spoken directly to the hosp you need that scan earlier. I would ring your local midwife team directly- bypass the doctors receptionist and ask them about your first app you'll need your notes for the scan.
If you can't get number from doctors, or hosp post on a local FB group someone will have the direct number in their notes

Hi,

I'm not in the UK but this happened in my last pregnancy. I went along with it and then my consultant questioned why I hadn't had any of the diagnostics. It was too late then as it was 15 weeks so I paid for an extra private scan with a specialist neo natal radiologist. I was 36 at the time and thought it was my only chance so I decided I probably would have declined further testing anyway.

I'm pregnant again but it's different this time. I explained what happened last time when I booked it and they knew I was only 7 months post emcs so I got 2 early scans and tranquillity diagnostic testing at 10 weeks buy nt not booked until nearly 14.10 weeks was very early for the tranquillity which is like harmony and I still have another week to wait for results. I think nt is usually 12 weeks then harmony after that if you want or need it. I got pressured into it because of my age.

So,to summarise, I think it depends how you feel. Last time booking in late didn't have any adverse effect but that could have been luck. Hospital admitted an administration error and are bending over backwards this time.

thank you all for your replies.

Lemonfizzypop I will google PALS and complain and Wishful80smontage I will try and find a number for the midwife team.

Glad its not just me being precious I just cant wait until 17 weeks to see a heartbeat! I can afford to have a private scan it's just the principal of the thing as I should be able to use the NHS service. But if I don't get anywhere with them I will have to go the private route.

mrsnec thank you for your experience I do want to be tested for all the potential problems just to be prepared more than anything.

This happened to me with dd1.

I did find out quite late granted. but I had to call twice to see what was happening with the dating scan ended up waiting six weeks.

then it turned out what I thought was a period must have been a pregnancy bleed and got the shock of my life at the scan

I got one scan the entire pregnancy at 27 weeks.

good luck chasing it up as the nuchal scan has be done at a certain time.

I'm sure they'd rather squeeze you in sooner, the sooner any problems are noticed the better for both you and clinicians.

You should definitely chase this up. Do an Internet search for "nhs antenatal appointments" to see what you should be getting. The first scan might not be at exactly 12 weeks, but it needs to be done before 14 in order to include the test for Downs Syndrome, etc.

If your local hospital doesn't have enough midwives on the staff to cover everyone, don't they legally have to hire in private midwives as needed? Or is that just to cover actual births? Might be worth finding that out.

thank you saivartelja and lemonfizzypop I will keep trying them although the line has been engaged all morning

The scan for Downs needs to be done by 13+6 at the latest, and you are entitled to that so I would chase. Perhaps someone got your dates entirely wrong at some point?

I was scheduled for my first scan at 13+4 which I questioned since I wasn't 100% of my dates and thought I might be further along, so got it pushed forward to 12+3. Glad I did as I was a few days further along than they initially thought, so the Downs screening wouldn't have worked on the original date.

I rang the ultrasound dep at my local hospital and moved the appointment directly with them. But seeing as all your appointments seem off, I would contact your midwife too.

Good luck!

thank you EdgarAllenPoe - I will keep trying them! :)

Definitely not being precious! You should be having your 2nd midwife appointment around 16 weeks! Are they going to see you twice in 2 weeks? Lol!

I had my booking in today at 9+1 and there was a group session with 6 others where the midwife double checked we were all between 8 & 12 weeks. No one was over. When I booked the scan, they booked it dead on 12w and I had the option of a few times on that day. The two ladies in front seemed to also get theirs on 12w. My next MW appt is 16wks. You must chase that up as they've already done checks and tests today.

If you can't get through on the phone, is the hospital close enough that you could go to the reception of the clinic?

You could try to see if St. George's can see you instead. They've been very good for me so far. Very careful with dates and timings.

I had this too. I called the hospital directly and tried to book directly. I couldn't but I did find they had appointments. I then rang the midwife at the drs please can you put the form in... No I don't have any information on you... I have time to give you that now.... Well they might not have any appointments, errr yes they do.... Finally got her to send the form off. I rang the hospital again and they squeezed me in. The twins declined to have the nuchal measurement in any case after all that.

Persevere, you'll get there! 17 weeks, ridiculous... And I got a new midwife!

Oh I did a self-referral to my hospital. Have a look and see if any other local hospitals do that. Then you can skip the gp altogether.