First doctors appointment at 6+weeks

[Running365]

I am after some advice from some more experienced ladies! I am 4 weeks today (BFP at weekend) so phoned doctors and the earliest appointment they could give me is 22nd Feb so I'll (hopefully) be 6 + 3. Is this a normal length of time to wait to see a doctor? I explained to the receptionist and she just said well that's our next available appointment. This is my first pregnancy and so I am clueless as what to expect. Will I have bloods done on this appointment and will it be enough time to then get booked in for midwife appointment and first scan? I just want some reassurance really that I don't need to try and see someone sooner and things will fall into place. Thanks in advance.

You don’t normally see dr just as for referral to midwife

So now I'm confused because I phoned the early pregnancy unit, as I had read online, and they said I need to see my gp for a pregnancy referral. That's why I phoned to make an appointment. Should I ask to see midwife at the doctors instead?

You don’t need to see a doctor at all! You can google your local community Midwife team and self refer. A GP won’t need to do a test or anything so will probably only tell you the basic advice on them NHS website. Once you are registered with the local Midwife’s you will probably be around 8-9 weeks pregnant when you have your initial booking in appointment, and then they will arrange the 12 week scan. Most you can do at this stage is rest

I am 5 and a half weeks approx, and called the doctors last week. Receptionist asked why I was calling! Explained I was just following instructions on the pregnancy test. She said no appointment with midwife or doctor until 8 weeks at the earliest. So I just have to wait until then.

Sorry posted too soon! Rest, read up on what supplements etc to take and look after yourself. If you have any issues like excessive sickness etc you can see your GP or contact the Midwife’s. Congratulations!

I think 6-8 weeks is the usual time people go and book in their pregnancy with gp
Recently I saw gp at about 7 weeks, booking midwife appt at 10 weeks and scan at 12 weeks. They work it out somehow so you get in time

Hmm maybe see if you can find any info online for your local trust, I’ve not had to go to the doctors at all in either of my pregnancies.

In my local trust, you just self referred to the midwives via the local hospital website!

I had a booking in appointment at 10 weeks, and then got letters for all my appointments/scans in the post just before if I remember.

I rang my surgery and they just gave me the direct number for the mw so I could call them and make an appointment. I was around7-8 weeks both time I first saw the mw though.

The EPU is for difficulties in early pregnancy, not all early pregnancies. For that you would need a referral via the GP, the midwife or A&E.

Call the surgery and ask what the procedure is booking in with the midwifery service.

I think everywhere is different tbh. In my last 2 pregnancies you saw midwife only at 8 weeks. I've since moved 10 miles down the road and you see the midwife at 10 weeks and gp at 7 weeks. Apparently the GP has to refer you for scan and do "other" things. However when I phoned receptionist she told me I didn't need a gp apt and should see mw at 8 weeks (like last place). Then had a call from senior mw today to inform me receptionist was wrong and I definitely need to see gp first at 6/7 weeks and then midwife at 10 weeks. Seems like a waste of resources to me!

Hospital early pregnancy unit checks out concerns, so you would need a drs referral to them.
But you don't usually need
All the Dr would do is say congrats, they don't do bloods - midwife does on booking. Nor do you need a dr to confirm pregnancy, your home test is reliable enough.
Midwife refers for scan.

Thanks ladies, that's really reassuring to know that there's no one set way that areas go about this. I've done a little more research and found the number for my local midwife team so I'll phone tomorrow and ask for clarification. In the meantime...can anyone recommend any pregnancy books?! I'm not sure where to begin!