Tell me about the booking appointment?

[Glittermonster17]

Hi everyone,
So this is my first pregnancy. I'm currently about 5 weeks. Have been to the doctors and they have referred me on.

I was just wondering how long it took for you to hear about your first appointment?

What's involved in this appointment?

Did you take your partner?

Thanks

Congratulations!

I had my booking appointment at 7+2 but as along as you have it before your 12 week scan it should be fine.

It takes about an hour and it's just lots of admin and form filling. Your midwife will start completing your pregnancy book which you then take to all your appointments.

I also had my bloods and urine sample taken.

My DH was with me but only because it was on a Sunday and he could come along. He just sat there a bit bored as all questions were about and answered by me

I had mine at 8 weeks. You get blood at taken, they will ask loads of questions about you and your medical history, if you smoke drink. Ask about your family medical history and your partners. All this will go into your notes.

I had mine at about 7 weeks, again, an hour with lots of form filling. DH didn't come - he came to the scans and some of the extra appointments later on when things got complicated. I was given paperwork beforehand, which did include questions about DH's family history, so it might be useful to have your partner there if you don't get the paperwork beforehand.

I didn't have bloods taken - I cope badly with blood samples (understatement!), so I'd checked this in advance. Ask your surgery if it's an issue for you.

Midwives prefer partners not to be at every appointment, as they check about domestic violence/support at home. They ask everyone this, they don't particularly suspect you have difficulties. I was also asked if I'm biologically related to DH (I'm not!), so there might be questions you haven't anticipated.

I had to actively book the appointment - with a midwife at my doctor's surgery; the time wasn't sent to me. This may vary with area.

I hope your surgery told you to take folic acid if you aren't already.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I took my partner because it’s his journey too! Midwife said it wasn’t strange at all. I mentioned other people found it weird but she didn’t at all. My other friend who is also a midwife said she’d find it strange if the partner didn’t come to the appointment!
So there you go.
It was just a general information chat, but she asked my partner as many questions as she asked me because a lot of my answers came from my doctors.
Then it was a wee sample and blood test as well as BMI and she booked our 12 week scan! Partner was very glad he came.

My midwife came to my house for 2 hours (we were chatting too!). My partner couldn't be there as he was at work but didn't matter at all.
She did bloods and urine test and blood pressure too. Few questions about partners family history but I could answer them all.
I did an online referral and got a letter from her with date/time and also 12 week scan letter at the same time. Think I had it at 8 weeks.
Really depends geographically- maybe have a look at your hospital website and see what they say on it if you have questions?

I didn't take my partner and he wasn't needed. I had bloods, urine, blood pressure and BMI check. They also took a carbon dioxide reading.

Had mine at 8 weeks, I went alone, and to be honest I always find it a bit cringe when partners tag along to midwife appointments lol unless it’s a scan. They booked my scan date, went through medical history, family medical history, blood pressure, urine sample, blood test, carbon monoxide test, BMI... it’s just a lot of information collecting really

They ask if you've ever been involved with social services. And if you've ever had thrush

Thanks everyone, I will chat to him about it and see what he thinks. I'm sure he will want to be there and I'm happy for him to be there if he does!

Hopefully I will find out soon when that will be then

It’s boring admin, bloods, no, weight and urine check. I’ve not taken my OH for any of my 4 booking in appts. TBH I think he only ever came to 1 midwife appt and that’s because he happened to be off work and we were out and about at the time. He comes to scans when he can and he made sure he had the day off for my consultant appt this time around as we’re having a complicated pregnancy and he wanted to know the plan.