Pregnancy screening tests have not been discussed or offered?

[Becca124]

Hi everyone,

I had my first contact appointment with the doctor recently. And after reading up about screening tests in pregnancy I've read that these should be done before 10 weeks?

Is this correct? As this has not been mentioned or offered to me in my doctors appointment.

When I told the doctor I was pregnant he was pretty vague with information, didn't even ask me how I was and never mentioned these screening tests.

He told me to book a 10 week appointment with the midwife and I would have my scan at 14 weeks. How do I now go about getting these screening tests? Do I need to contact the doctor again?

I believe screening is done at your first scan - that's when mine was done, which the midwife referred me for and took place between 11 - 14 weeks.

Are you in the UK? By doctors do u mean GP? Most people have first midwife appointment at about 8 weeks, but it doesn't have to be exact. Just around that date. Initial tests will be done at this appointment by taking blood, weight etc. They scan for any security transmitted diseases and ask questions about your history and partners history. This indicates to them if they should delve deeper in the future. First scan is then around 12 weeks but is sometimes a bit before, or a bit after. I was 13+2 at mine. Tests are done at this scan and can take place up to around 14 weeks. Your midwife can explain everything to you when u first meet at 8 weeks. It might seem a bit weird but there isn't anything to do until then other than relax, take care of yourself and enjoy being pregnant!

My screening tests were also done at my first scan so 12 weeks, I then had the bloods done again due to a mix up at 13 weeks so I wouldn't worry too much if they aren't done before 10 weeks

The doctor doesn't do anything much - in my area you book direct with the hospital and no doctor is involved.
At your hospital's booking in appointment they'll run some blood tests and there'll be screening at the 12 week scan.

Midwife does the screening tests, have you booked a midwife appointment? Drs do not do pregnancy bloods

Practically no one has a GP appointment before, they won't bother informing you of any of this as the midwife will just repeat it all at your first consultation :)

I didn’t see a GP at all. I had a booking in appt with the midwife at 9 weeks ish and she did blood tests. Then a scan at what we thought was 12 weeks but turned out to be 13+5 and had the NT test.
You don’t need to contact the GP again. Your midwife will sort out all the tests you need.

(Meant to say in 3 pregnancies in 3 different areas I’ve never seen a GP, there’s no point)

I had my booking in at 8 weeks, had 1 set of bloods just after, scan at 13 weeks and the screening bloods were taken then.

The midwife will do screening questionnaires with you at your booking appointment and arrange blood tests to screen for infection etc. as needed. Down’s screening is done at ~12 weeks when you have the scan.

It’s quite normal for the GP not to go into lots of detail as they are not really involved in routine antenatal care, it’s all run by the midwives.

We were told we shouldn't have bothered with the GP and should have gone straight onto our chosen hospital's website and done a self referral on the maternity section.

Waiting for a GP appt wasted a lot of time! I had my first scan (booking appt) at 13 weeks.

Just ring your surgery and ask for a booking in appointment. You are supposed to have this at around 10 weeks (think it used to be earlier). Nuchal fold test has to be done by 13+6, it is done duing your first scan if you want it. Your MW will be well aware and will make sure you get scanned in time if you choose to have it.

are you in Northern Ireland if so they don't offer any tests or screenings as abortion is still illegal over here

Doctors don’t do any tests. Your midwife will do bloods at your booking appointment then more tests will be offered at your first scan. At least that’s how it worked for me.