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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Help I have no doctor and due in 2 weeks

38 replies

user1492962279 · 23/04/2017 16:50

Sorry for the long post, looking for some help/opinions, I am 37+5 weeks pregnant, I have only just got a fixed address due to getting a council house and therefor will now join a local docs tomorrow but up until this point couldn't get registered anywhere without a permanent address. At 8 weeks I attended the early pregnancy unit and got a scan, pregnancy confirmed and told until I had a doctors they wouldn't see me any more as it's based on your address where you go, so since then I have been going to private scans every month throughout my pregnancy and have had no complications and been told each visit everything is good, I'm having a girl, everything measuring normal etc but the last app I had I was told baby was breech (32 weeks) so basically now I need to know what do I do? Go to the docs tomorrow to register and then what? As I know breech babies you will get checked weekly at this stage (im unsure if she is still breech as she could have moved by now) but I might not be able to get an app so fast? also if I on the off chance go into labour today can I show up at the local hospital without having a doctor? I know these are all questions I should know the answer to but I'm just looking for some help as this is my first baby and the closer to my due date I get the scarier going to register has became as I know the way I have done this isn't the norm but have been very stuck on what to do apart from pay for a scan each month to check she is growing and healthy. TIA.

OP posts:

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Foggymist · 23/04/2017 16:56

So have you seen a gp or midwife at all during your pregnancy? Private scans are fine for checking on baby but what about your blood pressure, urine tests for protein or infection etc? If that's the case it's quite careless to not be monitored for complications like gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia, infection. Yes go to the doctor tomorrow and register.

JennyOnAPlate · 23/04/2017 16:58

Firstly, it's absolutely not true that you can't see a GP or midwife without a permanent address...you can find that out in 2 minutes by Googling.

Yes you can go to a hospital without a GP.

Mombie2016 · 23/04/2017 16:59

You've had NO antenatal care whatsoever?! Christ on a bike. Where's your local maternity ward? I'd be on my way there with a breech baby almost due never mind the bloody GP. Absolutely scandalous and so dangerous for you and the baby.

SockQueen · 23/04/2017 17:00

So apart from the scans have you had any antenatal care - blood pressure checks, urine tests, blood tests, vaccinations etc? It sounds like a difficult situation with your housing etc, but I'm surprised that you couldn't even register as a temporary resident with a doctor anywhere.

As soon as you've registered, you need to make an urgent appointment with the doctor and ask the surgery about booking with a midwife (some need the GP to refer you, others will see you immediately). If there's any delay, I'd contact the supervisor of midwives at your local hospital and see what they advise. As the baby was breech at last check, they will need to check this and may need to plan an ELCS if you/they are not happy to attempt a vaginal breech birth. Obviously if you start having contractions or think your waters may have gone, call labour ward and see what they advise.

I hope all goes well for you. Just as a heads-up, having had no antenatal care may well be cause for concern for the midwives/doctors, so they may want to get social services involved to make sure you have the support you need.

WantingBaby1 · 23/04/2017 17:18

Call NHS England (Google) and they'll compell a Dr surgery near you to accept you as a patient . This happened for me when all surgeries in my new village were fully subscribed and I was 20 wks pregnant having just moved into the area.

SouthPole · 23/04/2017 17:25

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Ecureuil · 23/04/2017 17:27

You've had no antenatal care whatsoever?
You need to be seen asap. Explain the situation to the GP and get an appointment with the midwife.

DancingLedge · 23/04/2017 17:39

Sounds like you've tried to do the best you could in a difficult situation. Some people on MN have limited experience/imagination of how different other people's life is to theirs.

So glad you've been housed.

You need to get to the doctor's, explain the background, and be calmly insistent that you need urgent arrangements made- whether that's Dr, midwife or hospital. Don't take no for an answer.

Best wishes, hope all goes well for you.

grobsmum · 23/04/2017 17:42

Have you tried calling your local maternity unit and speaking to them, they will be able to advise you best on what to do. I know it can take a few days to get registered at some GPs, if you speak to a midwife they might ask you to go in and get Checked and tell you where to go from there.

DancingLedge · 23/04/2017 17:43

south reported your post because I found it offensively cruel

grobsmum · 23/04/2017 17:47

Feel like a lot of these comments have been quite harsh. I'm pregnant with my first and if I didn't have a GP I would have no idea what appointments or treatment I would need.

JonSnowsWhore · 23/04/2017 18:00

Wow what a nasty, awful post that was! Sounds like the OP has done what she could & tried to make sure the baby has been watched as closely as she could!

You can go to any hospital in labour & theyll help you OP, they can just turn you away with a baby about to pop out of you

Go to the Drs tomorrow they might send you as an urgent referral, they may even send you there & then with a referral to be seen tomorrow. Sorry you've had a crap reply on here & that you haven't been given the care you've needed but good luck & hopefully something can be sorted out for you asap!

Mooey89 · 23/04/2017 18:07

I would register and make an urgent appointment with the GP tomorrow oP, s a temporary patient if you have to! Good luck

Disastronaut · 23/04/2017 18:10

Please don't be put off by the shitty, cruel posts. It sounds like your situation has been really tough.

But do please listen to the other posters who have said you must get care now. Go to any medical service tomorrow morning if you can. Hospital, GP, walk in centre. Explain your situation. Don't take no for an answer. Take care.

SouthPole · 23/04/2017 18:13

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Original poster

user1492962279 · 23/04/2017 19:27

Wish I hadn't even asked now. im more than aware I should have been by now but with my housing situation I kept getting told it'll be next week, then the next and it dragged on to the point any time I phoned anywhere for temporary care I was told just to wait until I had my address so that I was then always being cared for by the one place to keep it consistent and time has gradually dragged on. I know by saying about not having a house makes me probably sound unstable or in a situation. It fit for a baby, but I'm 29 years old, worked full time until 2 weeks ago, have everything I need for baby arriving and in my head thought I was doing the best I could by paying for private scans- which has cost me a fortune but been great to see my baby growing. So I'm not naive to the situation, was just looking for some input on if anyone has been in a similar situation or for some reassurance before I go to register tomorrow as any other similar posts I read are quite off putting as people general persception of midwives are they are very judgey so Im finding it quite daunting thinking about going tomorrow given how far on I am.

Anyway thank you for the helpful replies, been following lots of posts on these sites and always wanted to ask for advice for myself but definetly remember now why I hadn't done it so far after some of these replies.

OP posts:

JonSnowsWhore · 23/04/2017 19:41

Oh don't be put off, some of us are alright, just got to have a thick skin & let the most negative posts wash over your head!

Come back & talk to us if you need to

abbsisspartacus · 23/04/2017 19:43

Don't worry about the nasty replies you have done your best and tried to get prenatal care

Bungleboggs · 23/04/2017 19:46

Don't listen to the nastiness, you seem very brave. Unless people have been in your situation they don't/won't understand.

Hollyhop17 · 23/04/2017 19:47

The nasty replies were awful, I think you've done the best you can in what seems like a very difficult situation. Like others have said, demand some antenatal care tomorrow. I am sure you wont be turned away. Fingers crossed and best of luck.

DancingLedge · 23/04/2017 20:01

user I'm so glad you returned, I would like to apologise to you for the reception you've had here tonight , don't know when I've felt more angry about how a OP has been replied to.

Unfortunately, there is a segment of narrow minded, judgy posters on MN. But, there is also huge , warm support, and I hope you can find it in your heart to not be too put off by the twats who jumped on your thread tonight, because on MN you may find info, support and viewpoints you find helpful, now and in the future with your lovely daughter.

Warm good wishes, for the rest of your pregnancy, your delivery, and life with your daughter.
I for one would love to hear how things go.

DancingLedge · 23/04/2017 20:08

And, being homeless or without secure accommodation does not in any way may you some kind of second class citizen. I've been homeless with three kids. Sometimes in life, shit happens. It was difficult, but we're all ok now.

I'm an ok mum, and by the tone of your posts, I bet you will be too.

DeliciouslyHella · 23/04/2017 20:33

Please don't stress about the midwives. If they judge, they judge - but that isn't their job and so they will keep any thoughts to themselves.

You need to call your local maternity unit and explain. Ideally tonight (the labour ward will be staffed 24/7) or tomorrow morning if not. It is really important that you get seen ASAP if the baby is breech.

Best of luck OP.

NurseP · 23/04/2017 20:36

User, sorry you've had such a hard time. If you register with a GP, ask at reception about a midwife referral, they may be able to give you their contact details and you can contact them direct, I got my midwives contact details this way so maybe the same where you are? Good luck with your new home and imminent arrival!

Emma2803 · 23/04/2017 20:44

Op I just want to say that you have been treated appallingly by the health care system, to refuse antenatal care to a pregnant woman is an absolute disgrace and I think what you have done yourself is a credit to you. You have done your best for you and your baby.
Agree with other posters about just going direct to your local maternity hospital and explaining your situation. Bring with you any information you have from your private scans etc. You won't need to be registered with a gp for that but you will need to get that sorted anyway but make main priority maternity unit!
Good luck I hope they treat you a bit better than the others have!

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