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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What happens at first midwife appt please

32 replies

londonrach · 13/01/2016 07:42

Coming up to 12 weeks now and have two appts booked scan and midwife on separate days. I understand the scan but not sure what happens at midwife appt. ive not been to impressed by the midwife as the two times ive spoken to her she called me rebecca ( not my name) and got her months mixed up and booked me for a date that didnt exist in january. I understand she tried but doesnt fill you with confidence. Dh wants to cancel her appt (didnt help she phoned at 7pm on Sunday distrubing a extended family meal) and just do the scan. First baby so no idea what happens at midwife appts? Thanks

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SecretSpy · 13/01/2016 07:49

They fill in loads of paperwork with you, give you some information, answer any questions you might have and probably take your blood pressure and weigh you.

Hopefulnewbie · 13/01/2016 07:59

As said above.. Lots of paperwork and medical history questions , might weigh you, check blood pressure and explain future appointments.
I wouldn't cancel it tbh as you'll prob end up at the bottom of the list- you can always request another midwife after your first appointment if you still don't like her..

Salene · 13/01/2016 08:01

Mine just filled out forms and weighted me. That was it. Nothing else

PerspicaciaTick · 13/01/2016 08:03

You'll also get foms for blood tests and receive your notes, which you will need to take to all future mw and doctor appointments.

Boredofthinkingofnewnames · 13/01/2016 08:07

Not much - filled in some forms about medical history and they did a risk questionnaire.

Jw35 · 13/01/2016 08:10

Filling out forms, lots of questions, weight, blood pressure and usually book your scan. If you ask they might find the heartbeat for you!

shalalala · 13/01/2016 08:42

Loads of forms and mine was a very useful introduction into how things would go over my pregnancy. Definitely don't cancel it

KittyandTeal · 13/01/2016 08:46

It's very boring but actually really important. Bloods done to check if your negative, medical history to check if you have any risks in pregnancy, weights and height. You'll get your notes which they'll need at your scan.

They won't find the heartbeat for you, they rarely do that at 16 weeks which is the earliest they'll try with a Doppler.

It's very boring and long but as important as scans tbh. She was probably shattered, over her shift and rushing to get stuff booked before she went home. Give her another chance, she may surprise you

Kirjava · 13/01/2016 08:49

Filled in lots of forms with medical history, gave lots of info and filled in the form so I can get free dental/prescriptions. Took a few vials of blood and a urine sample. Took about 45 mins.

Kirjava · 13/01/2016 08:50

Definitely don't cancel.

Jw35 · 13/01/2016 09:11

They won't find the heartbeat for you, they rarely do that at 16 weeks which is the earliest they'll try with a Doppler.

Mind did.

bittapitta · 13/01/2016 09:15

Takes about 40 mins. They take a medical history of you and your partner. They take blood samples and urine sample. The "booking in" appt is very important. But very boring.

Going by your username, I've used 2 London hospitals for pregnancies and not seen the same midwife twice! So fingers crossed you'll see someone you like.

maybebabybee · 13/01/2016 09:15

JW that really isn't usual though, most midwives don't do that til at least 16 weeks. In fact mine didn't even do it at 16 weeks.

maybebabybee · 13/01/2016 09:17

oh and your DH is completely wrong, you can't cancel this appointment...it's important. I agree not a whole lot happens at MW appointments but they are there for a reason. They serve a function (checking urine, blood pressure etc) and are as important as scans.

Cavaradossi · 13/01/2016 09:27

Definitely don't cancel - and don't listen to your partner if he's liable to give you such poor advice. This 'booking in' appointment is really important - yes, lots of form-filling and admin, medical history of you and partner, risks, blood and urine, weight etc. From what I remember, it helps if you can remember what childhood illnesses you had, and I was also asked about serious illnesses etc in the wider family.

gamerchick · 13/01/2016 09:30

It's the longest, boring most important appointment.

Leave your bloke at home if he's going to be a doily about it.

They don't look for a heartbeat at 12 weeks. What a crock.

KittyandTeal · 13/01/2016 09:39

Bloody hell JW! They really shouldn't have (unless you were booked fairly late on for some reason)

The nice guidelines advise mws not to do the heartbeat at 16weeks just in case they can't find it and cause unnessecary worry. Many do because they are very experienced and are confident they will be able to find one.

I have historically been booked between 8-10 weeks. Trying to find a heartbeat at that gestation isn't very responsible, imagine not finding one then having to wait potentially 4 weeks for a scan to confirm the baby is still alive!

Mslg · 13/01/2016 10:34

It's a ridiculous notion that you would cancel the booking appointment. Like everyone said, it's a bit long and boring but important to get you and your partners medical histories. Mine took blood and urine samples for testing as well. They give you your notes at the end which you bring to all further appointments

Newmrs22 · 13/01/2016 10:39

My midwife made the point that it's a good time to ask questions because they actually have time to answer, in future most appointments will only be 10-15 mins, for my booking appointment we had an hour.

Roomba · 13/01/2016 10:53

I had a first appointment at 7 weeks, at which my first scan was booked. That was some form filling out and I was weighed and height measured. I was given some leaflets on healthy eating and what the scan involved, I think.

My 'booking in' appointment was at 12 weeks after my scan - it sounds like your appointment is both of these combined? That one was at home but I was asked if I'd prefer it at the GP's. I had blood taken and filled in a lot of forms, was given a load more leaflets (and I think a Bounty pack?) and my 20 week scan was booked in over the phone with the hospital. This appointment was pretty long and involved, and I was given my maternity notes to keep hold of. It was good as my partner was also there so he could ask a lot of questions too.

You need this appointment as otherwise you will not be booked into the system , won't get any further appointments, the hospital will have no idea who you are or that you are pregnant, you won't be given your MATB1 form when the time comes (so not mat leave or pay), and if there are any risk factors in either your or your partner's families you won't get referred for the vital additional tests you may need. That's just off the top of my head... Do you know what your blood pressure is? Is there protein in your urine? You will have no idea if you don't have these things checked at the appointment!

Why on earth would you cancel the most important appointment? Just don't take your DP if he doesn't want to go along.

Jw35 · 13/01/2016 17:50

They don't look for a heartbeat at 12 weeks. What a crock.

I was 8 weeks and she found it no problem!

I'm sure it isn't the norm to listen to the heartbeat, I was simply suggesting you can ask! They can find it with the stethoscope. She just asked if I wanted too so I said yes. She said not to worry if she couldn't find it a it was early.

unimaginativename13 · 13/01/2016 18:23

We heard the heartbeat at the 8 weeks scan but agree generally they listen at 16 weeks.

It sounds really stroppy that your DP said cancel it based on getting your name wrong! This about you baby! Just get what you need from the appts and don't stress about anything else.

Rather than getting funny with the midwife you could have asked her what the booking in appt will involve?

It goes through your notes - medical history, family history, urine sample to check for UTI, I had bloods done too.

Importantly explaining your nuchal testing so you have time to think about if you want it or not.

Weighing you - you might need a GTT? Or other further tests. These can be booked.

Antenatal class recommendation

Does this sound like something you would miss?!!

Original poster

londonrach · 13/01/2016 21:30

Dh and i have spoken about it and agreed its not something to miss. Sadly we left london one year ago bitta due to cost of renting so not sure if we can chose midwifes.

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Original poster

londonrach · 13/01/2016 21:31

Thank you everyone x

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kd83 · 14/01/2016 09:44

you can choose your midwife, there will be a team of community midwifes that serve your area.

If you dont get on with your mw at your appt, call the central team and ask to be changed.

I dont live in London, but even in my area during my first preg I saw a different midwife practically every time. This time has been a bit more consistent.

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