Midwife on holiday

[Anban]

Hey all. I am 6+4 and went to the gps to register for the midwife this week only to be told she was on holiday and to check back in a few weeks.

I really want an early scan as there are so so many twins in my family (mostly my side by at least one set on DHs). Can I bypass my GPs (who are pretty horrendous anyway- Drs themselves are mostly nice but the organisation there is terrible) or are they the only way to get things rolling?

You can book private scans lots of places do them these days google your area you will find somewhere I dont think a gp or midwife will sanction early scans before 12 weeks unless there is a problem.

Neither your GP or midwife will send you for an early scan to find out if it's twins, early scans are for emergency problems.

You can always book a private one? I had one last week and found out we are expecting twins

You won't get an early scan for possible multiples unless you're having issues or pay for it sorry. It's not a medical emergency having multiples nor is it a complication

Thanks all.

I will look into private, I was just reluctant due to cost.

As another annoyance the gps has run out of the pregnancy packs so I have no information on what to do when!

You wouldn't see a midwife until between 8-10 weeks anyway, so it doesn't really make any difference that she's on holiday. And yes, as PP have said, they won't give you an early scan - you'd have to pay for it. Hope all works out okay!

You don't need to do much apart from possibly your booking in appointment before you're 12 weeks? I know it's different for different trusts.

Private scans can cost as little as £25 :)

As for info, there's tons of websites with really good info. I didn't get anything from my GP / midwife until week 8. Ultimately all you need to be doing is taking Vitamin D, folic acid (a larger dose if your BMI is above 30), and eating as well as possible. :)

They won't give you an early scan to see if there are twins - if you find out early or at 12 weeks it makes no difference at all. When I had serious issues with a threatened miscarriage early in my second pregnancy I still had to wait three days for there to be a scan appointment available.

You more than likely won't be seen by a midwife until you're later on, around 9ish weeks for booking appointments. Until then all you need to do is make sure you're taking some pregnancy vitamins which contain folic acid (available in your local supermarket) and there is loads of information online about what foods to avoid etc. Start with the NHS websites.

Good luck with everything

Ps private scans are pretty cheap. I had several in my second pregnancy for reassurance as I had a miscarriage in my first pregnancy.